The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected tension headaches and low back disability have been denied. The evidence does not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability for the tension headaches, nor does it indicate incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks but less than four weeks during the past 12 months for the low back disability.
The deciding factor: The medical evidence does not support findings consistent with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability for the tension headaches, nor does it indicate incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least two weeks but less than four weeks during the past 12 months for the low back disability.
- Claimed conditions
- Tension headaches, Degenerative joint disease (low back disability)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 20, 2010
- Citation
- 1002850
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 1002850.
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
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The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back disability, right shoulder disability, and tension headaches due to inadequate medical opinions.
- Partly granted
The Board granted service connection for an intestinal disability, manifesting as irregular bowel movements causing impairment in earning capacity. The Veteran was also denied a higher initial rating for low back pain with degenerative arthritis, stenosis, and strain, but granted a 10 percent rating from March 30, 2024, for tension headaches.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of both femoral and sciatic nerves, tension headaches, residual scarring, and PTSD.
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