The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tension headaches and generalized anxiety disorder are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Board will consider the evidence of record as of the date of the March 2019 SOC.
The deciding factor: The July 2018 VA examinations were found to be incomplete, failing to discuss the Veteran's lay assertions regarding the severity and frequency of his headache symptoms and mental disorder symptoms.
- Claimed conditions
- Tension headaches, Generalized anxiety disorder (PTSD)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 1, 2020
- Citation
- A20017794
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.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of both femoral and sciatic nerves, tension headaches, residual scarring, and PTSD.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for readjudication due to new and relevant evidence being submitted since the previous denial.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for essential left-hand tremors, essential right-hand tremors, restless left leg syndrome, restless right leg syndrome, and tension headaches as further development is needed.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remanded several claims for further development and readjudication, including service connection for OSA and hypertension, as well as increased ratings for right wrist sprain, MDD, tension headaches, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
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