Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied. The Board found that prior to August 6, 2014, the Veteran did not meet the schedular rating requirements for TDIU and there was no evidence showing he was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine disability, which manifested with very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability since May 23, 2016, warrants a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been granted. The claims for increased ratings of headaches, sinusitis, and gastritis have been denied. The cases for service connection for erectile dysfunction and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining English translations of Spanish documents and arranging for VA medical opinions regarding his carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines, and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated as noncompensable, but a higher rating of 10 percent is granted. The Veteran's cerebral aqueduct stenosis with headaches and cervical degenerative disc disease are both remanded for further examination.

The Veteran was granted a 50% initial rating for migraine headaches.,An effective date of October 2, 2005, but no earlier, was granted for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).,An effective date of October 2, 2005, but no earlier, was granted for the grant of service connection for malaria on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in an August 2007 Rating Decision.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for malaria is remanded.

The Board has not provided opinions on whether the Veteran's headaches, neurological condition other than seizure disorder, and fatigue are secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, PTSD, bronchitis, migraines, left knee tendonitis, tinnitus, right knee tendonitis, and plantar fasciitis are service-connected. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined impact of these conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches and acquired psychiatric disability are granted with increased ratings. The left knee condition remains unresolved, as the Board has ordered a remand for further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has found that additional development is needed due to conflicting medical opinions and new allegations of injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache disability, finding that there is no competent evidence linking his current headaches to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from April 10, 2014. The issue of an extraschedular TDIU for the period October 31, 2011 to April 10, 2014 is remanded.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 50 percent, and the Board has remanded for further development regarding his headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disorder, tinnitus, and headaches.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during or shortly after military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's headaches, syncope of unknown etiology (claimed as vertigo), and prostatitis are all being reviewed further.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and anxiety disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for severe headaches and right knee disorder have been reopened, but the cases are still pending as they need further examination to determine if there is a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings in various disabilities, including migraines, left knee disability, and left ankle disability, is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The TDIU claim remains on appeal.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims for hypertension and a headache disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not established, and additional evidence is needed to determine the nature of his conditions.