The Veteran's initial rating for headaches was granted at a 50% level prior to March 13, 2017. From that date forward, the maximum schedular evaluation of 50% has been assigned. The appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification on the Veteran's employment history and earnings.
The deciding factor: The Veteran meets the criteria for a 50% rating for headaches prior to March 13, 2017, but no higher. The maximum schedular evaluation of 50% has been assigned since that date. However, the appeal is remanded as there are uncertainties regarding the Veteran's employment history and earnings.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- December 22, 2020
- Citation
- 20080605
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.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
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