The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for migraine headaches was denied. Prior to September 3, 2020, the rating remained at 0 percent due to infrequent attacks not meeting criteria for a higher rating. As of September 3, 2020, the Veteran received a 50 percent rating based on very frequent and prostrating attacks.
The deciding factor: The VA examiners found that prior to September 3, 2020, the Veteran's headaches did not meet criteria for a higher rating as they were infrequent and not characterized by characteristic prostrating attacks. As of September 3, 2020, the Veteran was rated at 50 percent based on very frequent and prolonged attacks that caused severe economic inadaptability.
- Claimed conditions
- Migraine headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 0%
- Decision date
- January 29, 2021
- Citation
- 21005162
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 21005162.
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.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches due to right eye removal are granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation of xeroderma of the right eye is remanded.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased initial disability rating for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed due to an improper concurrent election.
- Granted
The Veteran's 50% disability evaluation for migraine headaches was restored to May 12, 2021 after the reduction in rating was found not proper.
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