The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for muscle tension headaches and achilles tendonitis of the left ankle are being remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their current severity.
The deciding factor: The Veteran reported worsening symptoms since his last VA examination, which is required by VA regulations when a claimant asserts or the evidence shows an increase in disability severity.
- Claimed conditions
- muscle tension headaches, achilles tendonitis of the left ankle
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- November 10, 2020
- Citation
- 20072563
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 service connection for migraine and muscle tension headaches, including as secondary to bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, otitis media, and spine arthritis.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 28, 2023, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.
- Partly granted
The veteran's lumbar spine lordosis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, but her chronic adjustment disorder warrants a 30 percent rating. No compensable rating is warranted for muscle tension headaches.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.