The appeal for service connection for organ damage (Stephens-Johnson Syndrome) is dismissed. Service connection for residuals of brain lesion with craniotomy, migraine headaches, and strokes are granted on a secondary basis due to the residual effects of the brain surgery. Service connection for a surgical scar on the right side of scalp is also granted on a secondary basis.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the evidence was in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's brain lesion/tumor was caused by multiple concussions during her service, and thus granted service connection for residuals of brain lesion with craniotomy. Service connection for migraine headaches is granted because they began during service and continued after service. Strokes are granted on a secondary basis due to the residual effects of the brain surgery. The surgical scar on the right side of scalp is also granted on a secondary basis.
- Claimed conditions
- Organ Damage (Stephens-Johnson Syndrome), Brain Lesion with Craniotomy, Migraine Headaches, Strokes, secondary to brain lesion with craniotomy, Surgical Scar on the Right Side of Scalp
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 23, 2024
- Citation
- 24003279
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,329 · Granted: 31% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 24003279.
What this means for you
A dismissal means the Board did not decide the issue on its merits — usually because it was withdrawn or had become moot. It says more about procedure than about whether a claim like this can win.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's 50% disability rating for migraine headaches was restored as the evidence did not show actual improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent rating, effective December 3, 2021, due to frequent and severe attacks that significantly impact his ability to work.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected PTSD alone is sufficient to grant a TDIU, and his other service-connected disabilities are at least 60% combined. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC based on housebound status.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of erectile dysfunction was dismissed. A rating of 50 percent, and no higher, for migraines is granted. An initial rating of 30 percent, and no higher, for IBS is granted. Service connection for hypertension is remanded.
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