The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines has been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that his current migraines began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to pending claims regarding earlier effective dates. The Board will also consider whether he qualifies for SMC at the housebound rate prior to September 14, 2020.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's current migraines began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. The Veteran had chronic headaches prior to service entry and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting migraine disability.,Pending claims regarding earlier effective dates may affect whether SMC at the housebound rate is warranted prior to September 14, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- migraines, psychiatric disability, post-operative bilateral hernia repairs with chronic pain syndrome, hiatal hernia, scars, bilateral lower extremity neuralgia, allergic rhinitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- November 22, 2021
- Citation
- 21069955
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 21069955.
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 claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection for asthma and a 10 percent rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities were dismissed. The claim of entitlement to a compensable rating for eczema was denied, while the claim of entitlement to allergic rhinitis was not addressed as it pertained to different issues.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC based on aid and attendance.
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