The Veteran's claim for increased rating of tension headaches prior to December 9, 2022 is remanded. The claims for service connection of varicose veins are also remanded due to inadequate opinions.
The deciding factor: The Board found the existing medical opinions insufficient and requested additional opinions on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's varicose veins and the severity of his tension headaches prior to December 9, 2022.
- Claimed conditions
- Tension Headaches, Varicose Veins
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- August 22, 2023
- Citation
- 23046419
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 23046419.
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 Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.
- Granted
The Veteran is granted SMC at the rate of 50% for his service-connected conditions from April 20, 2020 to June 7, 2021.
- Granted
The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 10% disability rating, effective from the date of the June 2020 decision. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and earlier effective dates for tension headaches and lower back condition. The remaining issues of service connection for eye, neck, persistent cough, TBI residuals, and bilateral leg conditions are REMANDED.
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