The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headaches is remanded, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU is also on appeal. The RO should obtain any outstanding VA treatment records, request the Veteran to fill out an application for TDIU, schedule him for a VA examination, and readjudicate both claims.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the reduction in rating was improper and restored the 30 percent rating for migraine headaches. However, the increased rating claim and inferred TDIU claim are still pending as new evidence is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected condition and his ability to work.
- Claimed conditions
- migraine headache
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 2, 2019
- Citation
- 19160295
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,990 · Granted: 35% (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 19160295.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for the migraine headache disability rating, as it was already granted from August 31, 2007. The issues of increased ratings for PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI are remanded due to a duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches due to conflicting evidence and need for further clarification.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as migraine headaches, due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are related to active service or secondary to his lumbar spine condition. His migraine headaches are related to active service.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headache disability is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
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.