The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a headache disorder, to include migraines, due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision regarding whether a VA examination or opinion was warranted based on the Veteran's complaints of anxiety and the March 2020 medical article that suggested that anxiety symptoms may aggravate migraines.
The deciding factor: The Board found the March 2020 article irrelevant because it did not address comorbidities other than migraines in the presence of anxiety, but the article actually examined how symptoms of anxiety and depression might relate to migraines. The Veteran's complaints of anxiety were not adequately addressed by the original decision.
- Claimed conditions
- headache disorder, to include migraines
- How they argued it
- Secondary to another service-connected condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- May 26, 2021
- Citation
- 21032143
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 21032143.
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.
- Partly granted
The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted earlier effective dates for the grants of separate disability ratings for left and right lower radiculopathy, sciatic nerves. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and sleep disorder were remanded.
- Partly granted
The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and a headache disorder, to include migraines. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was dismissed, and other claims were remanded.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disorder, and vasovagal syncope to correct duty to assist errors.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board remands the claim for service connection for a headache disorder, to include migraines, for additional development and medical opinion.
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