The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than September 23, 2015 for service connection and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support awarding an earlier effective date.
The deciding factor: The effective date for the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability was determined to be September 23, 2015 based on when his claim was received by VA.
- Claimed conditions
- schizoaffective disorder, depressive type
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 29, 2021
- Citation
- A21020607
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 A21020607.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the case to obtain any pertinent, outstanding VA treatment records, including those from the Veteran's admission to the Augusta VAMC on March 5, 1991, for alcohol dependency.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted service connection for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type and right knee strain based on evidence supporting the Veteran's claims.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted the restoration of a 100 percent disability rating for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type, as the evidence did not support a finding of sustained material improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to the Veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder, depressive type.
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