The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of her service-connected central hypothyroidism and cluster headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that either condition is severe enough to warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found no symptoms or effects from the Veteran's conditions that would justify a higher rating, including cold intolerance, muscular weakness, cardiovascular involvement, mental disturbance, bradycardia, weight gain, constipation, and mental sluggishness for hypothyroidism; and very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability or characteristic prostrating attacks at least once a month on average over any several month-long period during the course of the period on appeal for cluster headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- central hypothyroidism, cluster headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 10, 2019
- Citation
- 19102916
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 19102916.
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 Board granted an effective date of January 19, 2016, for the award of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, cluster headaches, back muscle pain, rhinosinusitis, and right knee painful joint.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of November 26, 2018 for the award of a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected cluster headaches.
- Partly granted
The appeal for service connection for depression was dismissed as it is subsumed by the already service-connected PTSD. A 50 percent rating for cluster headaches was granted, and a higher rating for autoimmune hepatitis was denied.
- Granted
The veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.