The Veteran's claims for MDD, migraines, residuals of a head injury, and scar were granted with effective dates starting from October 11, 2011. The Board denied earlier effective dates as there was no indication of an intent to file such claims prior to the filing date.,For migraines, residuals of a head injury, and scar, the Veteran's claims were filed on October 11, 2011, which is when service connection was granted. The Board found that earlier effective dates could not be assigned as there was no indication of an intent to file such claims prior to this date.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show any indication of a claim or intent to apply for service connection for these conditions prior to the filing date.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Migraines, Residuals of a Head Injury, Scar, Residuals of a Head Injury, Cervical Spine Degenerative Arthritis, Left Shoulder Strain and Tendinopathy, Chronic Left Ankle Lateral Collateral Ligament Sprain
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 20, 2024
- Citation
- A24047918
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 A24047918.
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 Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is found to have begun during their active duty service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's initial evaluation for tension headaches to include migraines is granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective from May 23, 2023.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder with TBI is rated at 70 percent, but the appeal for a higher rating is denied.
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