The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent since October 15, 2015. His TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment from July 2, 2015.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's severe prostrating attacks of migraine headaches meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating since October 15, 2015. His combined disability evaluation is at least 80% as of that date, meeting the threshold for TDIU.
- Claimed conditions
- Tension Headaches, Radiculopathy of the Right Lower Extremity, Radiculopathy of the Left Lower Extremity, Degenerative Joint Disease of the Thoracic Spine, Tinnitus, Hearing Loss of the Left Ear
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- November 15, 2016
- Citation
- 1643495
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 1643495.
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.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD and dismissed his appeals regarding increased ratings for tinnitus and a right hand disability due to lack of timely filing of Notice of Disagreement.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
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