The Veteran's service-connected chronic headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to September 7, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
The deciding factor: The preponderance of the evidence showed that the Veteran's headaches were not frequently or severely enough to meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 8100, despite his reports of some days having more severe symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Chronic Headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- January 25, 2021
- Citation
- 21004029
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 21004029.
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: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for chronic headaches is remanded due to the need for a new medical examination to assess the frequency and severity of his headaches, including without medication.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's chronic headaches have been rated at 30 percent since June 24, 2019. The Board has now granted a 50 percent rating effective January 6, 2020.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's PTSD, chronic headaches, and unspecified dyspnea are rated at 50 percent, non-compensable, respectively. The appeals for higher ratings have been denied.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including PTSD, IBS, cardiac arrhythmia, CFS, chronic headaches, chronic sinusitis, dyspnea, and fibromyalgia. The claim for bilateral pes planus was remanded.
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