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Whole decision: Denied

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria. The Board denied an increased rating as there was no evidence of severe economic inadaptability due to his headaches. For the post-injury status fracture of left orbital bones, the Veteran has a noncompensable rating because he does not have any visual impairment or incapacitating episodes.

The deciding factor: The Veteran's migraines do not meet the criteria for a higher 50% rating as they are not productive of severe economic inadaptability. The post-injury status fracture of left orbital bones has no associated visual impairment or incapacitating episodes, thus warranting a noncompensable rating.

Claimed conditions
Post-traumatic migraine by history likely due to facial trauma from a bar brawl and facial fracture, post injury status fracture of left orbital bones
How they argued it
Direct service connection
Exposure basis
None
Rating
Not verified here — check the original decision
Decision date
April 23, 2015
Citation
1517481

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. Search VA.gov for the original decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 1517481.

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.

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