The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's SUNCT/SUNA syndrome, which is a rare primary headache syndrome not related to environmental exposure or a prior history of sinus headaches. The VA examiner did not address whether any symptoms are due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness resulting from service in Southwest Asia.
The deciding factor: The VA examiner's opinion is incomplete for decision-making purposes as it does not address whether any symptoms of the Veteran’s SUNCT/SUNA syndrome may be attributed to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.
- Claimed conditions
- SUNCT syndrome, SUNA syndrome
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 13, 2020
- Citation
- 20053738
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 20053738.
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.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for further examination, particularly regarding the etiology of the Veteran's SUNCT/SUNA syndrome.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar myositis, psychoneurosis and conversion hysteria, residuals of shrapnel wounds of the left thigh and pelvis with retained foreign bodies and scars, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the right thigh and left leg. The veteran was also denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected coronary artery disease, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of his condition.
- Denied
The Veteran's service-connected musculoligamentous strain, right knee, is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.
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