The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for migraine headaches was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable initial rating prior to May 6, 2014 or any rating in excess of 50 percent after that date.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed that the Veteran's migraines were characterized by infrequent and non-prostrating attacks, which did not meet the criteria for a compensable initial rating prior to May 6, 2014. After May 6, 2014, her headaches were rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 50 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- Migraine Headache
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2014
- Citation
- 1448548
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 1448548.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headache disability, but has remanded the issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The TDIU issue requires additional development as it was not properly addressed in the original decision.
- Granted
The Veteran's TBI, migraine headaches, and left toe onychomycosis have been granted increased ratings. The TBI now receives a 10% rating, the migraines receive a 30% rating, and the onychomycosis receives a 10% rating.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches, including tension headaches, are now rated at 50% effective April 25, 2023, due to very frequent and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, and right upper extremity radiculopathy, have prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment since July 11, 2017.
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