The Board denied retroactive DEA benefits for the appellant's enrollment at Azuza Pacific University from December 2013, finding that she was not eligible prior to August 25, 2015.
The deciding factor: VA regulations require an applicant to file a claim within one year of receiving eligibility information. The appellant filed her application for DEA benefits nearly two years after the initial rating decision establishing her eligibility, and thus is not entitled to retroactive benefits.
- Claimed conditions
- Not specified in this decision
- How they argued it
- Not specified
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- April 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19125098
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.