Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected migraine headaches and adjustment disorder have been dismissed because the Veteran opted into a new appeals system after the Board’s last remand, and he has not appealed the decision under this new system.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his claimed conditions, and therefore service connection is denied for muscle strain of the right lateral chest wall, headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for headaches due to a lack of VA treatment records and an addendum opinion is needed considering the Veteran's self-medication with aspirin.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and traumatic arthritis of the cervical spine with tension headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for migraine cephalgia is denied as he does not have characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, and the AOJ will assign an appropriate disability rating.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 2, 2012 for a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches. The evidence shows that the Veteran had frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks of headache pain since at least July 2, 2012.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids from March 19, 2015 to April 16, 2018 is denied. Service connection for a right foot disorder is granted. The claims of service connection for left knee disorder, low back disorder, sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and hypertension are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 1, 2011 for service-connected migraine headaches has been denied as there was no formal or informal request to reopen the previously denied claim prior to that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 11, 2016. Therefore, an earlier effective date for the TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is remanded due to a duty to assist error. An addendum medical opinion is needed to address the relationship between the Veteran’s current headaches and his in-service head injury.

The Veteran is granted a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) effective June 26, 2006 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches, which began during his service in Afghanistan and have persisted since then, are now considered service-connected.

The Veteran's headache disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has determined that it does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for headaches and head injury, cervical spine DDD, and thoracolumbar spine DDD. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of consideration of all relevant evidence, and new evidence added since the last SSOC. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records, complete a VA Form 21-8940, and provide IRS tax returns.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a new VA examination of the Veteran's migraine headaches, as his symptoms may have worsened over the past three years.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, type II, recurrent strain with rotator cuff tendonitis of the left shoulder, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, back disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for headaches secondary to service-connected degenerative changes of the cervical spine with cervical muscle strain has been granted.

The Veteran's hypertension is not rated higher than 10 percent, and his migraine headaches and right ankle disorder are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded for further development. The issues of service connection for degenerative disc disease and muscle spasms of the cervical spine are no longer before the Board.