The Veteran's appeal for an increase in the disability evaluation for residuals of left wrist ganglion cyst is denied.,An initial disability evaluation of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted, and a higher evaluation of 50 percent is also granted. The appeal for an increased evaluation for migraine headaches is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for an increase in the disability evaluation for migraine headaches remains denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an increase in the disability evaluation for left forearm scarring status post stab wound is denied, and a compensable evaluation for superficial linear scars of the left forearm is also denied.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded to determine if he qualifies for extraschedular TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: There is no evidence showing ankylosis or its functional equivalent in the Veteran's left wrist, which prevents a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's migraine headaches have been productive of very frequent characteristic prostrating attacks throughout the appeal period, meeting the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's disability picture has not worsened to warrant an increase beyond the current 30 percent initial evaluation.,The Veteran's scarring does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under DC 7802 or 7804, as none of his scars are painful or unstable and their total area is less than 144 square inches.,The matter must be referred to the Director of Compensation Services for an advisory opinion on whether the Veteran qualifies for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- left wrist ganglion cyst, migraine headaches, left forearm scarring status post stab wound
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 31, 2024
- Citation
- A24086794
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 A24086794.
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 Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the relationship between service, including a stick injury in England, and current left eye disability (including amblyopia and cataracts) as well as migraine headaches.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches are productive of very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks capable of producing severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches.
- Granted
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headaches was granted with an effective date of February 28, 2023.
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