Citation Nr: 21074314 Decision Date: 12/14/21 Archive Date: 12/14/21 DOCKET NO. 18-01 513 DATE: December 14, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for cervicogenic headaches, claimed as headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, claimed as bruxism, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from March 1984 to June 1984 and from November 1985 to February 1988. The Veteran testified before the undersigned at a January 2021 Virtual Board hearing. The hearing transcript is of record. Entitlement to service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected TMJ disorder, is remanded. The Veteran does not contend and the evidence does not show that his currently diagnosed headache disorder is directly related to his active military service. Rather, the Veteran contends that his headaches disorder is secondary to his service-connected TMJ disorder. See January 2021 Virtual Board Hearing transcript. On VA examination in March 2016, the Veteran was diagnosed with cervicogenic headaches, which the examiner opined were not secondary to his service-connected dysthymic disorder. Rather, the examiner concluded that the Veteran's headaches were related to his non-service-connected chronic cervical spine disease. The examiner did not give an opinion as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed headache disorder was related to his service-connected TMJ disorder. See March 2016 VA headaches examination report and medical opinion. The Board is required to consider all theories of entitlement to service connection. See Szemraj v. Principi, 357 F.3d 1370, 1371 (Fed. Cir. 2004), and Roberson v. Principi, 251 F.3d 1378, 1384 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (explaining that the Board must consider all potential theories of entitlement raised by the evidence). As such, the Board finds that a remand for a new examination and medical opinion as to the etiology of any currently diagnosed headache disorder, is necessary. 38 U.S.C. § 5103A (d). The Board, by this remand, makes no determination, expressed or implied, concerning the credibility of any statements on file. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Updated treatment records should be obtained and added to the claims file/e-folder. 2. Following completion of the above, afford the Veteran a VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed headache disorder, including cervicogenic headaches. The examiner should review the claims folder and note such review in the examination report or an addendum. The examiner should also provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or greater) that any currently diagnosed headache disorder, including cervicogenic headaches, was caused or aggravated (permanently increased in severity beyond the natural progression) by his service-connected TMJ disorder. A complete rationale for all opinions rendered must be provided. If the examiner cannot provide an opinion without resort to speculation, the examiner should provide an explanation as to why this is so and note what, if any, additional evidence would permit such an opinion to be made. 3. Thereafter, readjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection based on the new evidence of record. If the benefit sought on appeal is not granted in full, the Veteran and his representative should be issued a supplemental statement of the case and provided an opportunity to respond. The case should then be returned to the Board for further appellate consideration, if otherwise in order. KELLI A. KORDICH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board F. Yankey, Counsel The Board's decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.