Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches due to their potential connection to service in the Gulf War theater of operations. The VA is required to provide a new examination to determine if these conditions are related to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted, and the effective date is set at July 7, 2014.,Service connection for headaches and major depressive disorder with somatic symptom disorder was also granted on July 7, 2014. However, an earlier effective date of July 7, 2014, cannot be established as there were no prior claims or intent to file such claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disability, TBI residuals (memory loss), and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia and related symptoms are rated at 40 percent effective October 28, 2014 through September 27, 2016, then 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a TDIU, effective date prior to September 7, 2018 for a 50% rating for TBI with major depression, and an effective date prior to November 26, 2018 for a 70% rating for TBI with major depression. The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of head trauma, including TBI, headaches, sleep walking, and a psychiatric disorder, as well as schizophrenia. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's headaches, as well as their relationship to his service-connected conditions and any other relevant factors.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease, as well as his TDIU claim. The issues are being returned to the VA for further development.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is found to have its onset during active duty service, and the Board finds that his current condition is related to service. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is granted at a 50 percent level. The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD and migraine headaches due to new evidence indicating possible increased severity.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability has been granted a 50% rating, but no higher. The Board found that her headaches are characterized by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring more than once per month and significantly impacting employment. Service connection for right ear hearing loss, fibromyalgia, and uterine fibroids is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's intent to file a claim for an increased rating for migraines was received on April 22, 2016. The effective date of the grant of a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected frontal headaches (also claimed as migraines) is set at April 22, 2016.

The Board has remanded several claims for service connection due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective from May 2014. The Board also granted TDIU based on the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran suffered a cerebrovascular accident or other neurologic disorder, and if so, whether it is related to his service-connected recurrent atrial fibrillation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, headaches, and cognitive disorder are inextricably intertwined with his claim for service connection for residuals of TBI. Therefore, these issues have been remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and headaches. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the claim for service connection for cervical osteoarthritis with stenosis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) needs further examination and evaluation to determine if his current symptoms are related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for IBS, acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and Anxiety Disorder), and migraines due to the need for additional evidence. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding medical records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine if her conditions are related to service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for the appellant's low back disability, granted a 40 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, and denied ratings for other conditions.