The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was withdrawn. The Board found that the Veteran's tension headaches most closely approximated a 30 percent disability rating, based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once per month over several months. For his right ankle sprain with mild degenerative joint disease and arthritis of both knees, he is currently rated at 10 percent each.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's tension headaches were found to have a frequency and severity that most closely approximated the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. The right ankle sprain with mild degenerative joint disease was also rated as 10 percent disabling, based on moderate limitation of motion.
- Claimed conditions
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with a history of helicobacter pylori and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Tension headaches, Chronic right ankle sprain with mild degenerative joint disease, Right knee arthritis, Left knee arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- March 11, 2016
- Citation
- 1609834
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 1609834.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- Granted
The Veteran's tension headaches, which have been service-connected since the grant of service connection, are found to be very frequent and completely prostrating with prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board grants an initial 50 percent rating for tension headaches prior to December 1, 2020.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for tension and migraine headaches is remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2020 VA examination report, which did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 30 percent rating, effective December 26, 2024. The Board found that the Veteran experienced characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months, warranting this rating. A higher rating is denied.
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