The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, as well as his claim for a higher rating for cephalgia (headaches). The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of dysthymic disorder or any other acquired psychiatric disorder. For cephalgia, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent or higher rating under DC 8100 due to insufficient evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, and his cephalgia did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 8100 due to insufficient evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks.
- Claimed conditions
- Acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, Cephalgia (headaches)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 4, 2022
- Citation
- 22000151
Veterans Law Judge
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 22000151.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board denied higher ratings for PTSD and alcohol use disorder, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. However, service connection was granted for allergic rhinitis under the PACT Act.
- Granted
The Veteran's cephalgia (headaches) disability was initially service connected in May 2008 and rated as noncompensable. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the condition, effective from August 1, 2020.
- Denied
The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury prior to April 3, 2009 was denied. From that date onwards, the Veteran's TBI residuals were rated as noncompensable.
- Denied
The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected conditions did not warrant a higher rating or additional service connection. The scar of the left parietal area of the scalp, while present, did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.