The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for recognition of his spouse and two stepchildren as dependents for the payment of additional benefits based on dependency status was denied. The Board found that no communications prior to April 25, 2014 could be construed as a formal or informal claim for dependency benefits.
The deciding factor: The earliest evidence of any kind associated with the act or intention of filing a claim for dependency benefits is the April 25, 2014 application and accompanying supporting evidence received that date.
- 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
- May 28, 2020
- Citation
- 20036531
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 20036531.
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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