The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was denied, and his subsequent request for an increased rating to 30 percent or more was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of very frequent and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion regarding prostrating attacks was not supported by the medical records, which showed no record of such attacks since service connection was granted. Additionally, there were no records indicating missed work or other employment impacts due to the headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- Migraine headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- July 14, 2016
- Citation
- 1628236
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 1628236.
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 service connection claims for traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches due to right eye removal are granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation of xeroderma of the right eye is remanded.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied an increased initial disability rating for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to an improper concurrent election.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's 50% disability evaluation for migraine headaches was restored to May 12, 2021 after the reduction in rating was found not proper.
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