Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, and migraine headaches associated with multiple sclerosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee condition, migraine headaches, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for hypertension and an initial increased rating for migraine headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence of current PTSD severity, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating allowed under Diagnostic Code 8100.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (claimed as anxiety/nervous disorder) is granted with a retroactive effective date of August 27, 2009. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for this condition must be remanded to obtain additional records and address the issue of whether he timely filed an appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, low back disability, and other conditions, are sufficient to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to June 13, 2011, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him incapable of performing employment duties.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for service connection of sleep apnea and hypertension, but denied for other conditions. The reduction in ratings for tinea pedis was upheld.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for a low back disability secondary to service-connected knee disabilities and increased ratings for PFS and DJD of the right and left knees. The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated with new examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his reported symptoms and exposure during active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, including those from Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC), and undergo a VA Gulf War Registry examination.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right wrist disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches. The claims were all denied as the evidence did not show a link to active service.

The Board has referred the Veteran's service connection claim for migraines as secondary to her service-connected sleep apnea to the AOJ. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to incomplete information regarding her employment status.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for her left ankle fracture prior to February 9, 2016, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been dismissed. The Board also found that the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches should be remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded multiple issues, including service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions and headaches, as well as an increased rating for the Veteran's low back disability. The TDIU issue is also inextricably intertwined with these matters.

All reopened claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's tension and migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective October 1, 2013. The Board found that the Veteran's prostrating attacks of severe economic inadaptability meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and examination to address her TBI, left knee strain, migrainous and cervicogenic headaches, and service-connected psychiatric disabilities. The issues of rating the TBI, left knee strain, and migrainous and cervicogenic headaches are currently on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to VA's failure to request current private medical records for headaches.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders not otherwise specified are rated at 70 percent since July 30, 2012. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 20, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.