The Board denied the Veteran's claim for recognition of S.B. as a 'helpless child' due to permanent incapacity for self-support prior to her 18th birthday, finding that the evidence did not support this determination.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed that S.B. was capable of self-support and had completed high school with a 2.5 GPA, despite having learning disabilities and autism.
- Claimed conditions
- Autism disorder
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 24, 2021
- Citation
- 21031501
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 21031501.
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 child, C.H., became permanently incapable of self-support prior to attaining age 18 due to psychological disabilities and requires adult supervision.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's child, M., was restored to her award of VA disability compensation as the child of the Veteran based on permanent incapacity for self-support prior to attaining the age of 18, effective July 1, 2020.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and lack of substantial compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's daughter, S.B., is not permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's son, C.B., is denied recognition as a helpless child due to insufficient evidence showing he was permanently incapable of self-support prior to his 18th birthday.
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