The appellant is not eligible for Chapter 35 Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits prior to November 15, 2011 as she did not timely elect a beginning date within the required 60 days. The earliest possible beginning date available under VA law and regulations is November 15, 2011.
The deciding factor: The appellant failed to respond to VA's request for a Beginning Date Election form within the allotted timeframe of 60 days, resulting in the permanent assignment of November 15, 2011 as her beginning date of eligibility for Chapter 35 DEA benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1624040
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 1624040.
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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