CAVC Case 93-1098: Depression

CAVCReal U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) decision · April 13, 1995 · KRAMER

This is a decision of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims — the federal court that reviews Board of Veterans' Appeals decisions, one level above the Board. Court decisions can vacate, reverse, or affirm what the Board did.

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Outcome
Affirmed
Decision Date
April 13, 1995
Judge
KRAMER
Service Era
Not specified

Conditions Claimed

DepressionAnxietyPsychiatricBackHipHeartDiabetesRespiratoryGI

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Issues on Appeal

DepressionAnxietyPsychiatricBackHipHeartDiabetesRespiratory

Why It Was Decided This Way

Barnett, appeals a September 13, 1993, decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA or Board) which found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of the death of her husband, veteran Boyd Barnett.

156 (1990) which pertains to new and material evidence in his presentation to the Board, the Board nevertheless remanded the case in December 1990 for the RO to issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) presenting the laws on finality of decisions.

The RO did not discuss the evidence according to the new and material evidence requirements.

Nevertheless, the appellant's representative argued to the BVA in January 1993 that new and material evidence had been presented.

In its September 1993 decision, the Board concluded that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.

She argues that because the RO adjudicated the appellant's claim on the merits and failed to apply the new and material evidence standard, the BVA had authority only to consider the merits of the claim.

She also argues that the appellant did not have notice about the 4 new and material evidence issue and that she was prejudiced by the BVA's review of her claim under the new and material evidence standard.

First, Congress has mandated that a previously denied claim may not be reopened in the absence of new and material evidence.

Authorities Cited

Colvin v. DerwinskiCox v. BrownCurry v. BrownGinnis v. BrownPaller v. PrincipiSee Bernard v. BrownSee Bielby v. BrownSee Masors v. DerwinskiSee Mintz v. Brown

Regulations Cited (38 CFR / 38 USC)

38 CFR 3.15638 CFR 3.156 (1990)38 CFR 3.312(a) (1994)38 CFR 3.312(b) (1994)38 CFR 3.312(c)(1) (1994)38 USC 510838 USC 7104(b)38 USC 7104(d)(1)

Denial Type

Not New Material

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