Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for depression has been denied. The Board remanded the cases regarding TBI and right wrist disability due to lack of current treatment records.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for several awards and evaluations need to be reconsidered, as well as the evaluation of craniotomy post auricular with bone loss associated with residuals of status post translabyrinthitis resection. The other issues are being remanded due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for all issues related to service connection and increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and chronic headache disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected ingrown toenails are rated at a 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches are rated at a 30 percent under DC 8100, effective from the date of the decision. The Board has also remanded for further development regarding service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address the severity of her service-connected disabilities, including low back pain, cervical spine disorder, left pubic ramus fracture, right tibia stress fracture, and right ankle disability. The Board will also consider whether she meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to March 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease was reopened and granted, but the issue of service connection for high cholesterol and migraine disability remains denied.,Service connection for valvular heart disease is granted based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for high cholesterol and migraine disability are both denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain, arthritis (other than in the left shoulder), a left shoulder disability, and headaches have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of these conditions during or immediately following service.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic migraines/headaches were reduced to a 10% rating from December 1, 2014, to August 29, 2016. The Board has restored the original 30% disability rating due to actual improvement in her ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding VA and private medical records that need to be obtained for a thorough evaluation of the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's initial maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent for a headache disability and an initial disability rating of 50 percent, but no more for his acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) with anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and alcohol abuse have been granted.

The Veteran's VR&E services appeal is remanded due to the change in his service-connected disabilities and ratings, making it unclear if he currently meets the criteria for an employment handicap.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches has been granted. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral plantar fasciitis and PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder, as well as the TDIU claim are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, a headache disability (due to PTSD), diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, sleep disability, prostate disability, and psychiatric disability other than PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and hypertension as there was no current diagnosis of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum available, due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claims for a headache disorder, eye disorder, schizoid personality disorder, low back disorder, arthritis of the left foot, arthritis of the right foot, and cervical disorder have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of multiple service connection and evaluation issues, including those related to fatigue, muscle and joint pain, functional dysphagia, gastrointestinal disorder (functional vomiting, bloating), migraine headaches, sleep apnea, and sleep disturbance. The decision on Dependents Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for tinnitus, chronic intractable headaches, and peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides and solvents as there are insufficient records on file to make a determination.

This decision dismisses appeals for various effective dates related to service connection, disability ratings, and the propriety of evaluations. The Veteran's claims are dismissed as he withdrew them prior to a Board decision.,The reduction in the rating for lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis from 40 percent to 10 percent is granted.