The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating under DC 8100. The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and mild levoscoliosis is not rated higher than 20 percent.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations consistently found that the Veteran experiences very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of migraines, which are required for a 50% rating under DC 8100. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as it only limits her forward flexion to less than 60 degrees.
- Claimed conditions
- Migraines including migraine variants, Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and mild levoscoliosis (previously rated as lumbar-thoracic strain)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- April 26, 2024
- Citation
- A24021491
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 A24021491.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on several conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.,The Board has not assigned a specific rating or effective date as the claims are being remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 1, 2022 for service connection of migraine including migraine variants was granted. The Board found that the Veteran had headaches since service and resolved reasonable doubt in his favor.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraines including migraine variants have been rated at the maximum of 50 percent, which is considered a very frequent and severe condition that significantly impacts her ability to work.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the combined effects of service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) associated with PTSD, bruxism, and migraines including migraine variants.
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