Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches, but dismissed the claim for digestive disorder. The acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to service, while the headaches are found to be secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches did not preexist service and are not related to her military service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand several cases due to the receipt of additional medical evidence. The Veteran is required to provide information about all healthcare providers who have treated him for his disabilities, and VA will attempt to obtain these records.

The Veteran's ocular migraines, secondary to service-connected TBI, are rated at 30 percent prior to September 22, 2011. From September 22, 2011, to February 26, 2012, the rating is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection for low back disorder, left foot disorder, and migraine headaches. The application for hepatitis C was denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, and dizziness are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for left eye hypertropia and a TDIU. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the left hip and service connection for headaches. The decision is based on a lack of evidence linking the current conditions to active duty service.

The Board granted a 50% disability rating for migraine headaches, effective October 6, 2014, finding that the Veteran experienced very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, granted for some conditions, and remanded for others. The appeal is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% rating for depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The appellant's STRs and records from his periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA need to be verified.

The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to December 29, 2017, and 50 percent since then. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disability was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and inextricably intertwined issues. The cervical spine claim will be adjudicated first, followed by the migraine headaches claim.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, characterized as dysthymia, depression, and anxiety disorder, has been rated at 100 percent effective March 13, 2012. The Veteran's vascular headaches have been rated at 50 percent effective September 23, 2014. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for PTSD, special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance, and special monthly compensation based on homebound status.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for headaches and TDIU due to incomplete records and need for updated examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,His back disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 29, 2014 and then granted a 20 percent rating effective from that date. The radiculopathy of his lower extremities has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of Level 3 cognitive impairment under DC 8045 and whether a higher initial rating is warranted for posttraumatic headaches. New TBI and headache examinations are necessary.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of migraine headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.