The Board has determined that the veteran's muscle tension headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, as they are manifested by headaches with nausea or vomiting and joint aching and stiffness without photophobia, phonophobia, or aura. The current noncompensable rating is appropriate.
The deciding factor: The veteran's headaches do not present characteristic prostrating attacks that would warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.
- Claimed conditions
- Muscle tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 12, 2008
- Citation
- 0827158
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 0827158.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for PTSD, denied a compensable evaluation for muscle tension headaches and sinusitis, and remanded claims for an increased rating for asthma, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea.
- Denied
The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date and increased rating for muscle tension headaches was denied. The Veteran is already receiving the maximum 50 percent rating, which is the highest under Diagnostic Code 8100.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected muscle tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new examination.
- Denied
The Veteran's muscle tension headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, and she does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran also failed to secure substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.
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