Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for headaches and earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for headaches and tinnitus have been dismissed due to a lack of an adequate substantive appeal.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a psychiatric disability has also been dismissed, as it is inextricably intertwined with the claims for increased rating and earlier effective dates for headaches.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine is granted at 50%. The Board finds the Veteran’s migraines to be manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. Service connection for left shoulder AC joint and rotator cuff arthritis, and dizziness are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted.,An initial 30 percent evaluation for chronic sinusitis is granted. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and headaches are remanded due to lack of recent examination.,The Veteran’s skin disorder (squamous cell carcinoma) is presumed due to herbicide exposure, but the relationship with his claimed lichen planus-like keratosis remains unclear. Cervical spine disorder secondary to lumbar spine disability is also remanded for further evaluation.,Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent from May 7, 2012, for lumbosacral Strain (claimed as low back strain) is remanded.,Entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand and fingers degenerative arthritis, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), headaches, a flu-like condition, bronchitis, a left knee and leg condition, and a right knee condition.

The Veteran's headache disability is related to service and has been granted as a direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected residuals of a traumatic brain injury, headaches, and posttraumatic stress disorder are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including examinations to address his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, TBI, fatigue, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory disorder, and scars. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a spinal disability and headache disability are remanded, indicating that further examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service. The decision also grants reopening of the claim for service connection for a spinal disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and service connection for low back disability and left shoulder strain are denied. The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back disability due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a brainstem disability, headache disability, and vertigo and loss of balance are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran must be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The conditions are presumed to be caused by exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that an increased evaluation in excess of 50 percent is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraine headaches and hypertension due to insufficient opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and lack of proper consideration of Gulf War exposure. The Veteran is required to undergo a Gulf War examination to address his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal was focused on whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating effective May 26, 2009.,An initial compensable rating for asbestosis is denied.,A 100% rating for residuals of TBI is granted and effective September 22, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is dismissed as his PTSD, which he claimed for TDIU, has been rated at 100% since June 30, 2010. The issue of service connection for GERD is also dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues require additional examinations and evidence to determine the etiology of his disabilities, as well as the appropriate disability ratings. The appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and potential new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions, as the VA examiner did not adequately address whether he has a qualifying chronic disability or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.