Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has decided that the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including back disability, bilateral hip disability, left knee disability, bilateral eye disability, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus, trouble speaking, TBI, and headaches are remanded due to new evidence received after the last statement of the case.

The Board has found that the RO did not substantially comply with prior remand directives and therefore, the claims for increased ratings for service-connected residuals lumbar strain; left knee chondromalacia, status post arthroscopy; right knee chondromalacia; and headaches are being remanded. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bladder disorder, migraine headaches, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all granted. The Veteran is also found competent to handle her VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's headache disability is rated at 50% effective July 24, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are severe enough to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected depression and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to various symptoms and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches disability is rated at 30 percent, effective July 19, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran experienced characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months, which supports a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate consideration of whether the Veteran's ocular migraines are aggravated by his service-connected conditions, and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset during service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete VA medical records and a need to reconsider whether he served in Vietnam, which could affect his eligibility for Agent Orange exposure presumptions. The claims will be returned to the RO for further review.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is remanded due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and reopened the claim for bilateral knee disability. The rating for gastritis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating were dismissed due to his death. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of these claims as they are now pending with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Compensation & Pension Service.

The Board has withdrawn the appeals on tinnitus and TDIU. The case is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS with anxiety, NOS is rated at 100 percent and he has other service-connected disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more. Therefore, the Veteran qualifies for special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board has remanded the claims for right shoulder, right hand and wrist, left wrist, shortness of breath, stomach disability, and dizziness and headaches as they are not fully informed due to lack of medical opinions linking these conditions to service.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for tension headaches and a 10 percent rating for TBI residuals, both subject to the monetary limits on financial awards. The issues regarding service connection for shoulder disabilities and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board is remanding the cases for further action, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran also needs to be notified of his appellate rights on several effective date issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic bladder and urinary tract infections, gynecological disorder (endometriosis and partial hysterectomy), headaches, PTSD, and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to have had its onset in service and has persisted since, warranting service connection.,Service connection is granted for a low back disability. The etiology of the current back disability was related to injuries sustained during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastrointestinal symptoms, dysmenorrhea, and headaches was denied. The Veteran's dysmenorrhea received a 30% rating prior to September 21, 2017. The Board found insufficient evidence to grant service connection for the Veteran's headaches due to PTSD.