The Board denied service connection for a migraine disability, PTSD, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran's headaches were not shown in service or thereafter, and the most probative evidence indicates they are not related to service. Service connection was granted for PTSD. There is no current diagnosis of left upper extremity radiculopathy.
The deciding factor: The Board found that there was no chronic headache disability in service or after service, and the Veteran did not meet criteria for a TBI. The Veteran's PTSD was diagnosed based on his military experiences but without evidence of combat exposure. Service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied due to lack of current diagnosis.
- Claimed conditions
- migraine headache, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), left upper extremity neurological disability
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 9, 2019
- Citation
- 19102443
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.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 70 percent initial disability rating for PTSD effective December 2, 2021, but the claim for an increased rating in excess of 70 percent was denied. The appeal also included claims for service connection and ratings for various conditions, some of which were granted while others were remanded.
- Granted
The Board granted an effective date of October 17, 2022, for the grant of service connection for PTSD.
- 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.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal for an increased rating of his service-connected PTSD during a Board hearing, and the appeal is therefore dismissed.
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