The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his active service.,There is no evidence of residuals from a left pinky fracture or heat injury during the appeal period.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish current residuals from a heat injury, and thus this claim remains denied.,A VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran currently suffers from dry eye syndrome related to his active service.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's headaches were reported during service and have continued since then. The VA examiner found that these symptoms are etiologically related to his service.,There was no objective medical evidence of residuals from a left pinky fracture or heat injury, and the Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence for current residuals from a heat injury.,The Veteran's assertions about dry eye syndrome were not supported by post-service medical records. A VA examination is needed to determine if he currently suffers from this condition related to his service.,The Veteran reported experiencing chronic dry eyes prior to and following LASIK surgery, which occurred during active service.
- Claimed conditions
- headaches, residuals of a left pinky fracture, residuals of heat injury, dry eye syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- May 29, 2020
- Citation
- 20036919
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. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20036919.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board allowed the benefit or issue identified in this decision. Review the original order: other issues in the same appeal may have a different outcome, and this decision does not predict another claim.
What you can do next
Use your own notice and decision stage. A remanded issue is not a final court-appealable denial. VA review guidance and CAVC filing instructions (U.S. federal; reviewed October 7, 2026).
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Whole decision: 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.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development of records and will provide a supplemental statement of the case if necessary.
- Whole decision: Partly granted
The Board has not made a final determination on the claims of service connection for inguinal hernia, PTSD, joint pain, fibromyalgia, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, sleep disorder, IBS, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine if these conditions are related to service.
- Whole decision: Granted
The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was reopened due to new and material evidence, and the Board found that his current headaches are related to service. Service connection is granted.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.