The Veteran's increased rating claim for headaches was denied as his headaches did not manifest with characteristic prostrating attacks.,The effective date for the 30 percent rating for headaches is set at December 16, 2015.,The Veteran's initial rating in excess of 50% disabling for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) prior to March 23, 2022 was denied due to lack of evidence of very prostrating and prolonged attacks.
The deciding factor: There were no documented characteristic prostrating attacks of headache pain within a year prior to the December 16, 2015 claim.,The Veteran's headaches manifested with characteristic prostrating attacks once per month, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 8100.,PTSD symptoms were noted but did not meet the criteria for a 70% or 100% rating due to lack of evidence of deficiencies in most areas and total occupational and social impairment.
- Claimed conditions
- Headaches, Acquired Psychiatric Disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- January 26, 2023
- Citation
- 23005252
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 23005252.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, finding that the evidence does not support a finding of persistent daytime hypersomnolence or other manifestations consistent with a compensable disability rating under the criteria established by Diagnostic Codes. The matter is remanded to obtain additional information from the Veteran regarding his headaches and their impact on his daily life.
- Granted
The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to PTSD, but his headaches are denied due to lack of service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's headaches, which manifested as very frequent and prolonged attacks causing severe economic inadaptability, are granted a 50 percent disability rating for the entire period on appeal.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 30 percent disability rating for his service-connected headaches, which was awarded with a noncompensable rating at 0 percent. The Board is remanding the claim due to inadequate examination and the need for a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's headaches without considering the ameliorating effects of any medication.
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