Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative spondylitis and disc disease L5/S1, an initial compensable rating for vascular headaches, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The eligibility to Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, right upper extremity neurological disorder, and right lower extremity neurological disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to any in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 10 percent rating from March 19, 2015 to May 19, 2017. A higher rating is denied. The claim for separate ratings for PTSD and TBI is denied. The combined rating for PTSD with TBI remains at 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a psychiatric disorder/personality disorder, finding that the presumption of soundness applied. The Board also denied an earlier effective date for TBI service connection, applying relevant regulations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing or unlocated in-service medical records, and for TDIU as it is dependent on the outcome of the service connection claims. The Veteran's heart disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), respiratory condition, acid reflux, migraines, and hypertension are at issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The issues include various psychiatric conditions, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle pain, joint pain, and GERD.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is secondary to his service-connected conditions. The issues of increased rating for posttraumatic headaches prior to December 11, 2017, and entitlement to TBI compensation are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a head injury, other than left eyebrow scar and headaches is denied. The Veteran's claims for compensable ratings for his scars and pseudofolliculitis barbae, as well as his claims for service connection for his knee disabilities, left ankle fracture, headaches, skin condition of the feet, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that there was no evidence linking his fatal disease processes to service or his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for headaches and residuals of TBI other than headaches is granted. Effective dates prior to November 20, 2014 are denied for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and effective date prior to September 11, 2014 is denied for a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to appellate review due to the need for a VA examination to assess the etiology and severity of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and respiratory disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including headaches, migraines, balance impairment, and memory loss, are related to his in-service exposure to an improvised explosive device (IED) blast. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches is granted. The issue of right knee disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are granted an increased rating to 10 percent. The claim for a higher rating of schizophrenia is denied. The right wrist disability remains at 10 percent. Service connection for diabetes mellitus (right foot blisters) and left foot blisters, as well as the left leg and eye disabilities, have not been established.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a lower leg stress fracture is denied as there are no documented current residuals.,Service connection for migraine headaches, stomach problems (including weight loss and diarrhea), and a neurological disability manifested by tingling of the extremities, separate from service-connected fibromyalgia, is denied. The Board finds that these symptoms are manifestations of fibromyalgia.,The Veteran's claim for a neurological disability manifested by tingling of the extremities is not addressed as it was adjudicated in a separate claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals. The Board has also remanded cases for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, and lumbar spine disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service. The appeals are not about presumptive exposure or undiagnosed illness.

A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted effective January 21, 2015.,The claim of entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to October 26, 2016, is denied.

The Veteran's migraine disability is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess its current severity. Additionally, the issue of TDIU has been raised but not developed by the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, arthralgia, a skin condition, a headache condition, and a hernia condition.