The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for headaches, an earlier effective date of January 2, 2020, for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to coronary artery disease with chronic congestive heart failure, and other forms of special monthly compensation.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's headaches have been manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating. The criteria for an earlier effective date for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his heart condition were met from January 2, 2020.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches, acute intermittent tension, coronary artery disease with chronic congestive heart failure (heart condition), posttraumatic stress disorder with depressive disorder due to chronic pain with mixed features (psychiatric disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 50%
- Decision date
- May 27, 2025
- Citation
- A25046785
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for headaches and increased ratings for left shoulder rotator cuff tear, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, hypertension, and left and right leg restless leg syndrome. The Board denied a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for an increased initial disability evaluation of headaches due to an inadequate VA examination.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for multiple disabilities, including cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, radiculopathies, a bladder disability, headaches, a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and bilateral conjunctivitis. The Board also granted entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability.
- Dismissed
The appeals for restoration of ratings and for a higher disability rating were dismissed as the April 2025 rating decision did not make final decisions on these issues.
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