The Veteran's service-connected headaches are currently rated as 30 percent disabling prior to May 17, 2019, and 50 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating for either period.,The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis is currently rated as non-compensable (0 percent) prior to May 17, 2019. The Board found the evidence did not support a compensable rating for this condition.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed that the Veteran's headaches were manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks of migraine/non-migraine headache pain once a month prior to May 17, 2019. The VA examinations and treatment records did not support higher ratings.,The post-service evidence also did not show any compensable disability for sinusitis prior to May 17, 2019. The Veteran's complaints were primarily of sinus pressure, chest congestion, and nasal discharge.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches, sinusitis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- December 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19192191
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 2,017 · Granted: 36% (granted or partly granted, in the indexed 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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 19192191.
What this means for you
A final Board denial may be appealed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, generally within 120 days of the Board mailing date. A Supplemental Claim with new and relevant evidence is a separate option. Another Higher-Level Review of the Board decision is not available. Check your own notice: this historical decision does not set your deadline.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board found that his current headaches are related to service. Service connection is granted.
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