The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death, finding that the appellant did not meet eligibility criteria for a retroactive award due to the liberalizing law being applied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the appellant met all eligibility criteria for the liberalized benefit on March 26, 2002 and such eligibility existed continuously from that date to the date of claim or administrative determination of entitlement.
- Claimed conditions
- Brain Tumor, Grade four astrocytoma
- How they argued it
- Presumptive (no nexus needed)
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21010679
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 21010679.
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 disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 22, 2012 to February 28, 2014 and November 1, 2014 to February 27, 2017. The Board granted TDIU for these periods.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has determined that the VA decision on eligibility for PCAFC benefits was legally inadequate and remanded to allow for a more thorough review of the Veteran's specific circumstances, including his need for supervision and assistance with ADLs.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's brain tumor is service-connected based on direct evidence linking his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation, which caused his condition.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claims for PTSD, brain tumor, and headaches have been granted. The service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.
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