The Board denied increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), first degree burn of the left hand ('skin disability'), and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A total disability rating based on individual unemployability was granted prior to August 27, 2019. An effective date of June 20, 2018, for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits was also granted.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings as they were already at or near the maximum schedular rating, and there was no evidence of additional symptoms that would warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), first degree burn of the left hand ('skin disability'), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 2, 2025
- Citation
- A25040408
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a 50 percent disability rating, effective August 8, 2023, due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for tinnitus to correct a duty to assist error, as the Veteran's lay statements regarding onset and continuity of symptoms were not adequately considered in the previous decision.
- Granted
The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches based on prostrating attacks occurring more than once a month and severe economic inadaptability.
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