The Veteran's initial higher rating for Headache Syndrome prior to August 12, 2015 was denied. A 50% disability rating is granted from that date onwards. The claims of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for Right Hip Degenerative Arthritis and Left Hip Degenerative Arthritis are remanded. The claim of entitlement to an increased rating for Lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Syndrome is also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's headaches were found to meet the criteria for a 50% disability rating since August 12, 2015, based on his reports of very frequent and prolonged attacks. The other claims are remanded due to insufficient examination details regarding flare-ups and functional loss.
- Claimed conditions
- Headache Syndrome, Right Hip Degenerative Arthritis, Left Hip Degenerative Arthritis, Lumbosacral Intervertebral Disc Syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19102764
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,196 · Granted: 17% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19102764.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied increased ratings for left thigh and right thigh limitation of extension, flexion, as well as left hip bursitis with adduction limitation. The Veteran's range of motion was found to be limited by pain but not significantly affecting function.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed as the claims have been fully granted with effective dates assigned.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and effective dates has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for PTSD, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, GERD with IBS, or headaches. Effective dates were also denied for various claims.
- Partly granted
The Veteran's service-connected right hip disabilities have been granted increased evaluations, with the effective date being October 25, 2021.
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