The Board denied the appellant's request for an earlier effective date for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits, finding that the criteria were not met. The effective date of June 22, 1996 was assigned based on the liberalizing law regarding Agent Orange exposure.
The deciding factor: The appellant did not file a claim for DIC benefits until more than one year after the effective date of the liberalizing legislation recognizing a causal relationship between Agent Orange exposure and Soft-Tissue Sarcoma.
- Claimed conditions
- metastatic soft tissue sarcoma, malignant schwannoma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- Agent Orange / herbicides
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 5, 2005
- Citation
- 0518314
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0518314.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted service connection for spindle cell lung cancer and associated metastatic soft tissue sarcoma, finding that the Veteran's asbestos exposure during military service is likely related to his diagnosed conditions.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board found no evidence of a chronic stomach disorder in service, and the veteran's benign stomach tumor did not arise during or due to his military service. The claim for service connection was denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date of February 1, 1986 for DIC benefits is granted based on her having filed a claim with SSA in February 1986.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a copy of the appellant's Social Security Administration application and reviewing her claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits under additional criteria.
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