The Veteran's service-connected chronic migraines are now rated at 50 percent, effective March 31, 2016. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 31, 2016 is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and retrospective medical opinion.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's migraines have been found to be very frequent and prostrating, meeting the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation. The TDIU claim is pending as there are outstanding VA treatment records needed to determine the severity of his service-connected disabilities prior to March 31, 2016.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Migraines, Residuals of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- September 1, 2020
- Citation
- 20057802
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 20057802.
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.
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- Denied
The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI residuals are currently rated at 70 percent, effective February 14, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with cannabis use disorder, depressive disorder due to another medical condition and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The case is being remanded because an inadequate examination was conducted by the VA TBI examiner.
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