Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for a left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, headache disorder, and psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the remaining issues due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, and headaches have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for PTSD and depression. The claim for increased rating for urinary incontinence is denied as there is no evidence of renal dysfunction. The claim for increased rating for lumbosacral strain with IVDS remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, diagnosed as plantar fasciitis, tarsal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral calcaneal spurs, and chronic headaches are granted service connection. The Veteran's pes planus (flat feet) and eye disability (sensitivity to light), and sleep apnea claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for fatigue, headaches, and digestive problems due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board denied the claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, and migraines as the preexisting conditions did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal to obtain additional government records, including Social Security disability claim and treatment records.,The reopening of a claim for service connection for low back disability is remanded. The issue of service connection for low back disability is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, including bowel and bladder residuals, as well as migraine headaches. More current examinations are needed to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was granted with an effective date of October 8, 2003. The claims for sinusitis and vasomotor rhinitis were denied as there was no prior pending claim or new evidence to warrant earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's PTSD, major depressive disorder, and alcohol use disorder have been rated at 70 percent. The appeal for higher ratings is denied. The appeals for service connection of hypertension, sleep apnea, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for migraines and depressive disorder with anxiety were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms that warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headache disability, an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and total disability rating due to unemployability prior to January 27, 2017. The Board will address these issues for the purpose of ensuring the issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) along with information about the process for perfecting an appeal as to those issues if the Veteran so desires.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for headaches has been granted. The Board has also remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, bipolar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to engage and retain substantially gainful employment, as evidenced by her inability to perform physical or sedentary work due to chronic neck and back pain.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 1, 2011. The Board has granted TDIU from that date.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scalp scar, left knee strain with osteoarthritis, and tension headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a facial injury, and headaches. The claims are now remanded for further development.