The Board has granted a TDIU rating for the entire appeal period. The case is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner did not address the Veteran’s lay statements regarding chronic headaches and the rationale provided does not explain why the notations for headaches in the VA treatment records do not establish a diagnosis for a headache disorder, nor whether the sleep disturbance (a symptom of PTSD) causes or aggravates his headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the right knee, tinnitus, right ankle sprain, right knee instability, pseudofolliculitis barbae and residuals scars of the right knee
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- June 8, 2020
- Citation
- 20039031
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 20039031.
What this means for you
A remand sends an issue back for more development, often a new examination or missing records. It does not award the benefit or decide the final outcome. The original decision explains the additional work ordered.
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 remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
- Granted
The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of foot disability and cardiovascular disorder are remanded for additional development.
- Granted
The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran experienced tinnitus during his active duty service.
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