The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for her back disability and migraine headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent for her back disability, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS). Her migraine headaches are already rated at the maximum under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran's appeal for TDIU was also denied.
The deciding factor: The VA examinations did not show unfavorable ankylosis of the thoracolumbar spine or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS, which were required for higher ratings.
- Claimed conditions
- Back disability, Migraine headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 40%
- Decision date
- February 9, 2026
- Citation
- A26011965
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 A26011965.
What this means for you
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What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and active duty service.
- Granted
The Veteran's service connection claims for traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches due to right eye removal are granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation of xeroderma of the right eye is remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a back disability due to incomplete service records and failure to consider all available evidence, including in-service treatment records from F.E. Warren Air Force Base.
- Denied
The Board denied an increased initial disability rating for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.
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