The Veteran's headaches are not characterized by very frequent completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, and the claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.,Claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings for headaches and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were received on March 13, 2013. The evidence does not show an increase in these disabilities within one year prior to this date, so the earliest allowable date is March 13, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded as there are no treatment records related to his counseling for PTSD. The claim for TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.
The deciding factor: The evidence does not demonstrate very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of headache pain that are productive of severe economic inadaptability.,There is no medical evidence relating to the Veteran’s disabilities within one year prior to his March 13, 2013 application for increased ratings. The earliest allowable date under the law is March 13, 2013.,The claims are remanded as there are no treatment records related to the Veteran's counseling for PTSD and the claim for TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.
- Claimed conditions
- Headaches, Peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, Peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- January 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19107025
What this means for you
A remand is not a loss. The Board sent the case back for more development — often a new exam or missing records — before making a final decision. Many remands later end in a grant, and the decision spells out exactly what the Board wanted to see.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's left shoulder disability and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, both secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.
- Denied
The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, a back disability, heart disability, and residuals of a stroke, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service or caused by his service-connected left ear disabilities.
- Dismissed
The Veteran withdrew the appeal in September 2025, stating that she is now 100% permanently and totally disabled effective April 29, 2025.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the R(1) rate due to his need for regular aid and attendance.
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