The Veteran's lumbar contusion is granted an initial 20% rating, but the issue of service connection for heat stroke residuals and headaches remains pending due to remand.
The deciding factor: The Board found that additional evidence was needed regarding the onset and nature of any headache condition, including tension headaches.
- Claimed conditions
- lumbar contusion, heat stroke residuals (including headaches)
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- December 21, 2021
- Citation
- 21075714
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 21075714.
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 determined that remand is necessary to obtain an adequate etiological opinion for the Veteran's heat stroke residuals and headaches, as well as a clarification of his lumbar spine disability rating. The claims are being returned to the RO for further action.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as he did not file a timely substantive appeal with respect to the July 2012 rating decision, which addressed his claims for service connection for various conditions.
- Denied
The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a lumbar contusion and post-concussion syndrome with post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran's current conditions are rated at 50 percent.
- Remanded (sent back)
The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the medical record to address issues related to service connection and increased rating for post-concussion syndrome, as well as entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability.
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