The Veteran's claim for a separate compensable disability rating for headaches as a neurological impairment associated with service-connected cervical disc disease was denied. The claim for entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 22, 2009 was also denied.
The deciding factor: The evidence did not show that the Veteran's headaches had manifested by prostrating attacks occurring once in two months or more frequently throughout the appeal period. The Board found the preponderance of the evidence against the assignment of a compensable disability rating for the Veteran’s headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- Headaches, Cervical disc disease
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2020
- Citation
- 20080198
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.
- 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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with TBI and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for headaches as secondary to PTSD with TBI due to a duty to assist error.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and remanded the claims for a sleep disorder and headaches to ensure proper development of evidence.
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