The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's service-connected somatic symptom disorder with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety, as well as a higher rating of 50 percent for muscle contraction headaches. However, it denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) based on a single service-connected disability.
The deciding factor: The evidence established that the Veteran's mental health symptoms more closely approximated the symptoms associated with a 70 percent rating and resulted in significant occupational and social impairment. For headaches, the evidence showed frequent prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a higher rating of 50 percent.
- Claimed conditions
- muscle contraction headaches, somatic symptom disorder with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- April 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25036420
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,960 · Granted: 36% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 A25036420.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
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 TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability claim is also remanded as an adequate VA examination was not provided in the previous February 2015 neck conditions examination.
- Granted
The Board has granted an initial 50 percent rating for chronic headaches, variously diagnosed as migraine headaches, tension headaches, and muscle contraction headaches. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also on appeal.
- Dismissed
The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected muscle contraction headaches was dismissed. His claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney failure, both secondary to his service-connected headaches, were denied.
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