The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO granted a total evaluation based on individual unemployability effective April 14, 2003.
The deciding factor: The claim for an earlier effective date was not supported by evidence showing the disability had occurred prior to April 14, 2003.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), shrapnel scar of the left upper back, shrapnel scar of the left buttock, shrapnel scars of the left upper arm, shrapnel scars of the right upper arm
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2005
- Citation
- 0534654
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 0534654.
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).
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- Whole decision: Denied
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