The Veteran's initial rating for migraine is granted at 50%. The Board finds the Veteran’s migraines to be manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. Service connection for left shoulder AC joint and rotator cuff arthritis, and dizziness are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not provide a rationale for the opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s left shoulder disability is related to his service-connected knee condition or aggravated by it. The VA examiner also did not provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's dizziness is proximately due to his service-connected migraines or tinnitus.
- Claimed conditions
- migraine, left shoulder AC joint and rotator cuff arthritis (left shoulder injury), dizziness
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19190048
Veterans Law Judge
Decisions by this judge: 1,828 · Granted: 32% (granted or partly granted, in the vetted decisions on this site)
Judge attribution: 2025 complete; earlier years partial.
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 19190048.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that additional VA opinions are needed to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's dizziness, including benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, and tension headaches, including migraines. The opinions should consider the Veteran's participation in a TERA and the combined effect of all his service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Veteran's dizziness condition is rated at a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 6204, as the evidence does not show occasional staggering. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's inner ear symptoms are related to service or any other condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found new and relevant evidence in support of the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for dizziness and faintness. The case is being remanded to consider this new evidence.
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