The Veteran's left shoulder strain is rated at 20% and denied any higher rating.,For migraines, the Veteran was previously granted a 30% rating prior to October 2, 2020, which remains denied. From October 2, 2020, to May 6, 2022, he received a 50% rating and this is upheld.,After May 6, 2022, the Veteran's migraines are rated at 50%, but no higher, as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran’s left shoulder strain had limitation of motion to midway between side and shoulder level or flexion/abduction to 45 degrees or less, which would warrant a higher rating.,For migraines prior to October 2, 2020, there was no evidence showing very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Veteran's symptoms were characterized as characteristic prostrating attacks once per month.,From October 2, 2020, the Veteran’s migraines presented with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, but these did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of severe economic inadaptability.
- Claimed conditions
- Left Shoulder Strain, Migraines
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- August 18, 2023
- Citation
- 23045993
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 23045993.
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: Granted
The Veteran's initial evaluation for tension headaches to include migraines is granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective from May 23, 2023.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's right shoulder disability, low back condition, bilateral knee disabilities, and left shoulder strain have been granted service connection. The Veteran's low back condition has been increased to a 40 percent evaluation, while the bilateral knee conditions remain at their current 10 percent evaluations.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for tension and migraine headaches is remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2020 VA examination report, which did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Whole decision: Denied
The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not show that his migraines were productive of severe economic inadaptability.
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