The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right orbital fracture residuals with photophobia due to issues related to the interplay between his service-connected eye disability and migraine headaches. The case is referred to the VA Director of Compensation Services for extraschedular consideration.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's severe photophobia, which causes incapacitating episodes, was not adequately addressed by existing rating criteria and requires an extraschedular evaluation.
- Claimed conditions
- Right orbital fracture residuals, Photophobia
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating
- Not verified here — check the original decision
- Decision date
- February 1, 2021
- Citation
- 21005410
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 21005410.
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
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: Denied
The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) was denied as the evidence did not show that he required personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in his home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, fatigue condition, sinusitis, photophobia, and bilateral pes planus, to allow for further development of evidence.
- Whole decision: Dismissed
The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a heart disability, earache, headaches, and photophobia due to a prohibited concurrent election under the modernized review system.
- Whole decision: Remanded (sent back)
The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service, but the claim for photophobia must be remanded due to inadequate opinion regarding its onset and potential exposure basis.
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