The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but granted an effective date of June 8, 2021, for special monthly compensation (SMC) based upon housebound status and an increased 50 percent rating for service-connected migraine headaches.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not establish that the Veteran became unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities prior to June 8, 2021, but it was factually ascertainable that a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches was warranted during the one-year period prior to receipt of the Veteran's January 10, 2022, VA Form 21-0966 (intent to file).
- Claimed conditions
- migraine headaches, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis and chronic instability status post anterior cruciate ligament repair, chronic cervical strain with foraminal narrowing, recurrent urinary tract infections with poor urinary stream and history of kidney infections
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 21, 2025
- Citation
- A25045894
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, but no greater.
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