The Veteran's TMJ syndrome and chronic headaches have not met the criteria for higher initial ratings. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of any increased rating.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not show inter-incisal range limited to 0-10 millimeters or very frequent prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months for TMJ syndrome, and characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months or less for chronic headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) syndrome, Chronic headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 23, 2015
- Citation
- 1553657
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 1553657.
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: Granted
The Veteran's PTSD is granted a rating of 70 percent, but no higher. The other conditions are remanded for further review.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied, as the evidence did not show ankylosis or forward flexion to 15 degrees or less.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic headaches was granted with a 50% rating.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for chronic headaches, CFS, dermatosis, bilateral RLS, a lumbar spine disability, and sleep apnea but denied a compensable evaluation for allergic rhinitis.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for service connection for chronic headaches and obstructive sleep apnea.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.