The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, right and left great toe degenerative joint disease have been denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms more nearly approximate a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's migraines did not produce very frequent completely prostrating attacks or prolonged attacks productive of severe economic adaptability. His bilateral great toes were rated based on their service-connected status post bunionectomy condition, which is assigned the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5280.
- Claimed conditions
- Migraine headaches, Degenerative joint disease of the right great toe, status post bunionectomy, Degenerative joint disease of the left great toe, status post bunionectomy
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- November 17, 2017
- Citation
- 1753025
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 1753025.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- 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.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to an improper concurrent election.
- 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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