Veterans’ RightsAn independent resource for veterans
← All decisions
Whole decision: Denied

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for DIC benefits, finding that she did not file a formal claim until December 20, 2022. The Board concluded that there was no clear evidence of nonreceipt of instructions on how to file a DIC claim and that the appellant had not communicated intent to file before December 2022.

The deciding factor: The appellant did not communicate intent to file a formal DIC application until December 20, 2022, which is outside the one-year period from the date of receipt of VA's instructions on how to file. The Board found no clear evidence that she received these instructions or had any intention to file before this date.

Claimed conditions
coronary artery disease
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
December 5, 2023
Citation
A23034632

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 A23034632.

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.

Free starter guide for your own claim

Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.

We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.

We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.

This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.