The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The appeals are based on the initial rating decisions made in April 2003, which did not become final due to an incorrect address being used when sending out the decision.
The deciding factor: The Veteran did not receive notice of the April 2003 rating decision and therefore the decision was not considered final. As a result, the initial ratings were denied as they are downstream issues from the April 2003 decision.
- Claimed conditions
- Residuals of left ankle fracture, Residuals of right tibia and fibula fracture, Lagophthalmos, right eye, Residuals of right orbital blowout fracture
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 29, 2012
- Citation
- 1207604
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 1207604.
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 service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder, chronic lumbar sprain, and residuals of a left ankle fracture have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to the combined impact of these conditions.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, with the Board finding that his PTSD is the primary cause of his unemployment.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right ring finger condition is denied as the current noncompensable rating adequately reflects the functional limitations and pain associated with this disability. The claims for increased ratings are remanded due to new evidence.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is denied as it preexisted service and was not aggravated during service.,Service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture is granted, with the condition being shown to have begun in service.
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