The Veteran's claim for service connection for right-foot drop, as secondary to IVDS, was denied.,Claims for increased disability evaluations in excess of 10 percent for right-lower-extremity and left-lower-extremity sciatic-nerve radiculopathy were also denied.,An earlier effective date of February 3, 2017 for a 30 percent disability evaluation for tension headaches was granted.
The deciding factor: The objective medical evidence did not show right-foot drop or related disorders during active service and the Veteran did not seek treatment for these conditions directly after separation from active service. The earliest possible manifestation of symptoms was in November 2011, approximately 7½ years after separation from active service.
- Claimed conditions
- Right-foot drop, Intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), Sciatic-nerve radiculopathy in right-lower extremity, Sciatic-nerve radiculopathy in left-lower extremity, Tension headaches
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- May 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20036886
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 20036886.
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Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's initial evaluation for tension headaches to include migraines is granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective from May 23, 2023.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is being remanded due to an error in the initial decision process. The AOJ needs to provide notice of his right to a hearing before issuing a final decision.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for tension and migraine headaches is remanded due to the inadequacy of the September 2020 VA examination report, which did not consider the ameliorative effects of medication.
- Granted
The Veteran's tension headaches, which have been service-connected since the grant of service connection, are found to be very frequent and completely prostrating with prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board grants an initial 50 percent rating for tension headaches prior to December 1, 2020.
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