The Veteran's mixed headaches and major depressive disorder associated with TBI are being remanded for further evaluation.,A new examination is required to assess the severity of the Veteran's conditions, including his TBI.
The deciding factor: The current evidence does not provide sufficient information on the frequency and severity of the Veteran's headaches and mental health conditions to determine appropriate disability ratings. Further medical evaluation is needed to clarify these issues.
- Claimed conditions
- Mixed Headaches, Major Depressive Disorder associated with TBI
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 28, 2023
- Citation
- 23019054
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 23019054.
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.
- Granted
An initial disability rating of 50 percent for mixed headaches (prior to September 22, 2015) and thereafter is granted.,An increased disability rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to October 19, 2022, and thereafter is granted. An increase in excess of 70 percent is denied.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), increased ratings for Major Depressive Disorder associated with TBI, and increased ratings for migraine headaches. Additionally, the claim for total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded.
- Granted
The Veteran's mixed headaches with vascular and muscle contraction components are rated at a 50 percent disability rating from June 20, 2012 through August 20, 2013 due to frequent completely prostrating attacks that result in severe economic inadaptability.
- Granted
The Veteran's mixed headaches are rated at 30 percent, but the Board has granted a 50 percent rating based on very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.
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