The Board granted service connection for headache attributed to RCVS and persistent thunderclap headache, restored a disability rating of 60 percent for asthma with COPD, denied an initial rating greater than 60 percent for asthma with COPD, denied an initial rating greater than 10 percent for RCVS and aphasia, granted separate ratings for muscle weakness in the upper and lower extremities due to RCVS, denied a higher rating for myocardial infarction with arteriosclerotic heart disease, granted TDIU from August 23, 2023, and granted an effective date of August 23, 2023, for DEA benefits.

The deciding factor: The Board granted service connection based on the benefit-of-the-doubt rule, restored a disability rating due to improper reduction, denied higher ratings where evidence did not support them, granted separate ratings for muscle weakness as they were supported by the record, and granted TDIU and DEA eligibility based on the Veteran's overall functional impairment.

Claimed conditions

headache attributed to reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) and persistent thunderclap headache, asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), myocardial infarction with arteriosclerotic heart disease, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) and aphasia

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating assigned

60%

Decision date

December 29, 2025

Citation

A25110717

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