The Veteran's migraines are found to be aggravated by service, and she is granted service connection for them. A 10 percent rating for tinnitus is granted. The lumbosacral strain claim is remanded due to increased symptoms not addressed in the previous examination. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) and hearing loss are also remanded as new evidence or clarification of medical opinions may be needed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to unresolved issues with her service-connected conditions.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran's migraines were aggravated by military service, warranting service connection. For tinnitus, while it was once intermittent and now in remission, the examiner could not definitively state its current status without further examination. The lumbosacral strain claim requires a new VA examination to assess current severity. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD) and hearing loss are also pending due to conflicting medical opinions.
- Claimed conditions
- migraines, tinnitus, lumbosacral strain, obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric condition (to include PTSD), hearing loss
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- None in this decision
- Decision date
- March 7, 2024
- Citation
- 24010936
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 24010936.
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
The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was reopened due to new evidence. Service connection is granted for painful scars, but the rating assigned remains at 10 percent. The claims for fibromyalgia and bilateral shoulder disability are denied.
- Granted
The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected traumatic brain injury, and thus grants service connection for this condition.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, arthritis, and memory loss. The decision found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.
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