The Veteran's claim for PTSD was reopened and granted secondary service connection for migraine headaches. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, OCD, and memory loss, as well as chronic fatigue syndrome/insomnia disorder, were both remanded.
The deciding factor: New evidence established a current diagnosis of PTSD and credible supporting evidence of in-service stressors was provided by the Veteran. Secondary service connection for migraine headaches is granted based on VA hearing loss and tinnitus examiners' statements that the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus sometimes causes migraine headaches to develop, resulting in temporary loss of ability to function.
- Claimed conditions
- Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Migraine Headaches, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (to include PTSD, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and memory loss), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Insomnia Disorder
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- July 27, 2020
- Citation
- 20049899
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 20049899.
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
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating. The Veteran also met the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
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