The Veteran's initial disability ratings for Major Depressive Disorder and Tension Headaches were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's MDD did not result in total occupational and social impairment, while his tension headaches met the criteria for a 50 percent rating but did not meet the criteria for an extra-schedular evaluation. The issue of entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's MDD was found to have occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood, but not total impairment. His Tension Headaches met the criteria for a 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100, which contemplates migraines with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
- Claimed conditions
- Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Tension Headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- June 10, 2024
- Citation
- A24030489
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 A24030489.
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Denied
The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including GAD, MDD, bruxism, migraines/headaches, tinnitus, hip pain, iliotibial band syndrome, and leg stress fractures. The evidence does not support current diagnoses of these conditions during the appeal period.
- Granted
The Veteran's Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) is found to have begun during their active duty service and continues to this day, meeting the criteria for service connection.
- Denied
The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder with TBI is rated at 70 percent, but the appeal for a higher rating is denied.
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