The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss.,For his posttraumatic migraine headaches, the Veteran was denied a compensable rating as his attacks were less frequent and severe than required for a 10 percent rating.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for more severe disability requiring higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.
- Claimed conditions
- Lumbar Degenerative Arthritis, Posttraumatic Migraine Headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- December 16, 2020
- Citation
- 20079415
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 20079415.
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates in several of his claims, including those related to TBI, left shoulder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, posttraumatic migraine headaches, and TDIU. The issues have been remanded for further examination and evaluation.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of January 10, 2020. His TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of that day.
- Denied
The Board denied the claim for DIC based on service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was not sufficient evidence to link any service-connected disability to his death.
- Granted
The Veteran's posttraumatic migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.
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