The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraine and tension headaches was granted, but the maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent is still not met prior to September 13, 2017.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of C4-C7 with multilevel spinal and neuroforaminal stenosis secondary to traumatic brain injury remains remanded.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected migraine and tension headaches have not met the criteria for a higher initial disability rating prior to September 13, 2017.
- Claimed conditions
- Migraine and tension headaches, Degenerative disc disease of C4-C7 with multilevel spinal and neuroforaminal stenosis
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2020
- Citation
- 20035928
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 20035928.
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 Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been dismissed due to procedural defects.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for pelvic inflammatory disease has also been dismissed.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and consideration of her claims, including the issue of TDIU which is inextricably intertwined with her spine and headache disabilities.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
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