The Board has decided to remand the cases of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected residuals, head injury with cognitive disorder and entitlement to an increased evaluation of post concussive headaches (previously evaluated as migraine headaches). The propriety of reduction from 70 percent to 40 percent effective March 1, 2014, for residuals, head injury with cognitive disorder and the propriety of reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent effective March 1, 2014, for migraine headaches are also remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's assertions that her service-connected disabilities have worsened since the last VA examinations in September 2016 necessitate current examinations to accurately assess the current level of these disabilities.
- Claimed conditions
- residuals, head injury with cognitive disorder, post concussive headaches
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- February 24, 2020
- Citation
- 20014094
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 20014094.
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.
- Dismissed
The Board denied the veteran's appeal request for service connection for post concussive headaches as it was not timely filed.
- Partly granted
The Board granted a 50% rating for post concussive headaches and special monthly compensation (SMC) for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, but denied an increased rating for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type and traumatic brain injury residuals.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), left hip degenerative arthritis, and other musculoskeletal issues.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected disabilities, including post-concussive headaches, unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder with situational phobias, and TBI. The VA examiner must provide an addendum opinion addressing these issues.
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