The Board has denied the appellant's claim for recognition as a helpless child due to her not being permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining the age of 18 years, based on evidence showing she was able to work and obtain an associate's degree.
The deciding factor: The appellant did not have permanent incapacity for self-support at the time of her eighteenth birthday, as evidenced by her ability to attend school until sixth grade, receive a GED, and pursue college courses leading to an associate's degree. Her current inability to work is attributed to mental disability rather than physical or mental defects present prior to age 18.
- Claimed conditions
- mitral valve prolapse, asthma, arthritis, allergies, a skin condition (tuberous sclerosis), memory problems, light sensitivity, gastrointestinal problems, back pain, knee pain, shoulder pain, foot pain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 19, 2011
- Citation
- 1126935
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1126935.
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: Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's respiratory disability, including asthma and COPD, is denied as service connection is not warranted due to the condition being solely attributed to smoking.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and asthma due to a failure to provide proper notice for a hearing.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
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