The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased initial evaluation and earlier effective date for service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's shell fragment wound, right temporal region, with retained foreign body and cluster headaches, was rated as 50 percent disabling since February 23, 2007, which represented the earliest possible effective date given the record.
- Claimed conditions
- shell fragment wound, right temporal region, retained foreign body, cluster headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 24, 2011
- Citation
- 1102790
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 1102790.
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 has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and whether it is secondary to his service-connected cluster headaches or meningitis.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's claim for service connection for cluster headaches was denied because the new evidence did not relate to the issue of whether his current condition is related to military service.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of mononucleosis, chronic fatigue syndrome, and cluster headaches due to incomplete VA medical opinions. The Veteran is requested to provide addendum opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure by VA to obtain relevant private treatment records, including from Dr. K and Dr. N, which may be pertinent to the Veteran's eligibility for PCAFC benefits.
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.