Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed migraine headaches and left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and the AOJ should consider this evidence in their next decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20% prior to his death, but a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's headache disability was rated at 50%, the maximum schedular evaluation available under DC 8100. The claim for an increased rating is denied as it does not meet the criteria for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, right shoulder, hip and knee conditions, ankle, wrist, plantar fasciitis, and migraine headaches have been granted. The claim for psychiatric disability was denied as there is no current diagnosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for emphysema, hypertension, migraine headaches, and loss of memory due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's occipital headaches have been rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling compensation and pension examinations. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, headaches, right and left upper extremity radiculopathy are all service connected. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches with visual aura were rated at 50 percent effective April 8, 2013. Prior to that date, the rating was noncompensable.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, back disability, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, prostate disability, diabetes mellitus, type II, headaches, and organic mental disorder have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder with anxious distress, is proximately due to her service-connected back and bilateral leg disabilities. The issues of service connection for neck disorder, headache, increased ratings for back disability, restless leg syndrome, and eczema are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a brain tumor, and the lumbar spine disability was not productive of incapacitating episodes or ankylosis as required for higher ratings.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, thoracic spine compression fractures, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. Headaches were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's right knee condition based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability with cord impingement and migraine headaches are attributable to service, thus granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a seizure disorder was denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.,The Veteran's claim for a lower intestinal disorder, to include as secondary to service-connected GERD, was denied as the evidence does not support a current disability associated with tubular adenoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are aggravated by his service-connected schizophrenia with alcohol abuse disorder, warranting service connection on a secondary basis.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for headaches and bilateral hearing loss, as well as obtaining any pertinent records identified by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, left shoulder, headache, and respiratory disorders have been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence has been submitted to support these claims.,The Veteran also withdrew her appeals regarding the claim of service connection for a skin rash and the effective date for PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines caused very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability between August 5, 2012 and December 23, 2015. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for this period.