The Board found that the Veteran was a fugitive felon from July 23, 2004 to September 11, 2009 and terminated his VA benefits for this period. The benefit-of-the-doubt doctrine does not apply as the preponderance of evidence is against the claim.
The deciding factor: The Veteran was identified as a fugitive felon due to an outstanding warrant for vehicle theft issued in Massachusetts. The warrant was dismissed, but the termination of benefits was upheld based on the existing policy and procedures at that time.
- 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
- April 5, 2018
- Citation
- 1820745
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 1820745.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
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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