The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches and TDIU, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner found no evidence of a chronic headache disability post-service and concluded that any current headaches were related to stress from running his own business. The examiner also opined that bilateral pes planus, hallux rigidus, and other service-connected disabilities did not cause or aggravate the Veteran's headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- chronic headaches, bilateral pes planus, right thigh disability (limitation of flexion and extension), bilateral ankle disability, left ankle disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, lumbar spine disability, hearing loss, tinnitus
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 22, 2018
- Citation
- 1811388
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 1811388.
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
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess his bilateral knee and hip disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has expanded the scope of the claim to include any mental health disorder raised by the record and has remanded for additional development regarding service connection for left leg, ankle, and psychiatric disabilities.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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