Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines as it lacked jurisdiction due to improper docketing and a failure to follow the modernized appeal system.

The Veteran's migraine and tension headaches are found to be caused by his service-connected tinnitus, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ruptured right eardrum has been granted. The claims for service connection for headaches and allergic rhinitis are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for left and right shoulder conditions, right knee condition, left and right ankle conditions, headache condition (secondary to a service-connected disability), sleep condition (secondary to a service-connected disability), and heart condition.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy were granted, but his claim for an increased rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the impact of all service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder degenerative joint disease, headaches, and sleep apnea have been granted. His right knee instability has also been granted a rating of 30 percent. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his left ankle strain and degenerative joint disease as well as his right ankle strain are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for VR&E benefits, including retroactive payment for education expenses and outside of the United States services, were denied as he did not meet eligibility criteria due to lack of employment handicap and refusal of employment services.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that new and material evidence supports a current diagnosis of migraines related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the severance of service connection for several conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's earlier period of service.

The Veteran's appeal is granted as her NOD was timely filed. The Board finds that the Veteran submitted new and material evidence within one year of the March 2016 rating decision, thus keeping her claims pending at the time of her submission of a Notice of Disagreement in April 2017.

The Board has remanded the case for a determination on whether extraschedular referral is warranted and for adjudication of the TDIU claim. The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches with migraines are currently rated at 50 percent prior to January 13, 2016.

The Veteran's diagnosed lumbosacral strain was likely aggravated by his service-connected residuals of a right ankle sprain, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) as he does not have a single 100% disability and is not permanently confined to his immediate premises due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a headache disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as tinea cruris, recurrent, of the bilateral groin and thighs and tinea corporis of the right leg, had onset in service. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hand tremors, migraine headaches, right knee disability, and sinusitis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted an initial 50 percent disability rating for the service-connected migraine headache disability, which is the maximum schedular rating allowed.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the January 2019 rating decision is not eligible for review under VA’s modernized review system.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including TBI and headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.