The Board denied the appellant's claim for helpless child benefits, finding that she was not permanently incapable of self-support before turning 18 due to her cerebral palsy.
The deciding factor: The evidence showed that the appellant had struggled with her condition but maintained full-time employment until age 49 and beyond, indicating she could support herself prior to reaching the age of eighteen.
- Claimed conditions
- cerebral palsy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- March 4, 2008
- Citation
- 0807358
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 0807358.
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 Veteran's daughter, A., who was rendered incapable of self-support due to multiple health conditions since childhood and has been receiving Social Security Administration benefits since she was 14 years old, is granted an upward adjustment based on her as the Veteran's dependent helpless child effective May 8, 2006.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, lumbar spine disorder, cervical strain, radiculopathy of the left arm, cerebral palsy, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, and a left elbow disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran is seeking service connection for his preexisting cerebral palsy, which he contends worsened during his 35 days of active duty. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs an addendum opinion from a medical professional.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's adult daughter, A.G., is not considered a veteran’s child for disability compensation purposes due to her age and disabilities. The Board has ordered additional medical records from Dr. R.T. to determine if A.G. can support herself.
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