The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, which reflects occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.,The Veteran’s migraine and tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, reflecting prostrating attacks occurring several times per month.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD or migraines as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on frequency and severity.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Migraine and Tension Headaches, Tinnitus, Right Ear Hearing Loss, Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Light Sensitivity, Left Ear Hearing Loss, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) - Left Leg, Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) - Right Leg, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder, Other Than PTSD - Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Depressive Disorder, and Insomnia, Nerve Damage to the Lower Back
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- June 3, 2019
- Citation
- 19142279
Veterans Law Judge
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 19142279.
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 claim for service connection for PTSD is granted as the evidence shows a current diagnosis of PTSD, an in-service stressor, and a medical link between the two.
- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50% since March 23, 2004. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to February 15, 2005 due to the severity of his symptoms and their impact on his social and occupational functioning.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and any acquired psychiatric disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current mental health conditions and his military service.
- 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.
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