The veteran's only service-connected condition, post-traumatic headaches, is not severe enough to qualify him for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability or special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance or housebound status. The Board finds that his disabilities do not meet the criteria for these benefits.
The deciding factor: The veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches are rated at 50% disabling, which does not meet the requirements for a TDIU or SMC based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status. The evidence shows that his disabilities do not render him unemployable or in need of regular assistance from another person.
- Claimed conditions
- post-traumatic headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- October 30, 2007
- Citation
- 0734105
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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 0734105.
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: Denied
The Veteran's head injuries and post-traumatic headaches following an October 2023 VA shuttle bus incident are not compensable under 38 U.S.C. §1151 because the injuries occurred before any treatment or examination by VA.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's possible TBI. The claim of service connection for post-traumatic headaches remains pending.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has granted an effective date of September 7, 2018 for the assignment of a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches. The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran submitted an intent to file for compensation with VA on September 7, 2018, and his claim was received by VA within one year of this submission.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain but denied higher ratings and service connection for other conditions.
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