Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disorder, back disorder, and headaches (secondary to PTSD) due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service medical records and considering all relevant evidence. The Veteran's current disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his psychiatric and low back conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome with acid reflux and undiagnosed illness due to Gulf War exposure are being remanded as the Board notes insufficient contemporaneous information to evaluate these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are not related to service, except for those already compensated by her fibromyalgia rating. The Veteran's GERD does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation based on persistent symptoms. Her fibromyalgia and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) appeals have been withdrawn.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records. The main reasons for remanding are for new examinations, especially concerning the lumbar spine and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches from March 14, 2012 to present is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on headaches is dismissed. The right hip condition and endometriosis are granted, but the left knee degenerative lateral meniscus and wrist carpal tunnel syndromes remain at their current ratings. A TDIU is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's back condition.

The Board has granted service connection for prostate cancer and diabetes mellitus due to herbicide exposure. The remaining issues have been remanded as additional evidence is needed.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is rated at 20 percent from January 10, 2017 and continuing thereafter. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since July 16, 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a bilateral knee condition, erectile dysfunction associated with chronic prostatitis, and initial compensable ratings for sinusitis with epistaxis (claimed as nose bleeds), environmental allergies, and sinus headaches due to incomplete information or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically PTSD due to military sexual trauma (MST). The VA will attempt to verify the alleged stressors and schedule a psychiatric examination to determine if the diagnosed conditions are related to in-service events.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for personality disorder, claimed as passive aggressive personality passive aggressive type, manifested by abuse of drugs is reopened and granted. Other claims are also remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary as to the remaining claims for service connection for hearing loss and headaches, which are remanded. The Veteran's scar of the scalp and substance abuse disorder have been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for an acquired psychotic disability, right knee disability, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for posttraumatic mixed headache disorder is denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, adjustment disorder (claimed as PTSD), and ocular migraines have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent disability rating for migraines is denied as the evidence does not establish that entitlement to this rating arose prior to May 3, 2016.