The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches associated with residuals of TBI was granted, and an effective date of June 29, 2002 is assigned.,For the period prior to May 29, 2014, a rating of 70 percent for mood disorder due to TBI is granted.,TDIU benefits are granted from July 1, 2009 to May 28, 2014.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating for mechanical back pain prior to May 28, 2014 remains pending and requires further evidence.,A compensable rating (10 percent) is granted for residuals of TBI including subjective impairment of the left side.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's headaches began during service and his claim was received within one year of separation, meeting the criteria for an effective date of June 29, 2002.,The mood disorder meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's disabilities collectively rated at 90 percent from July 2009 to May 28, 2014, precluding him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.,Further medical evidence is needed to determine the appropriate disability rating for mechanical back pain prior to May 28, 2014.,The residuals of TBI meet the criteria for a compensable rating (10 percent) due to subjective impairment of the left side.
- Claimed conditions
- Headaches, Mood Disorder (associated with a Traumatic Brain Injury), Mechanical Back Pain, Residuals of a Traumatic Brain Injury including subjective impairment of the left side
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182504
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,614 · 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 19182504.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
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