Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraines and right hip disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable error in denying these conditions initially. The effective date for service connection for migraines was set at March 31, 2011, which is when the Veteran submitted a new claim. Service connection for the right hip disorder was denied as it did not meet the criteria of being related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and unspecified schizophrenia disorder/other psychotic disorder rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 21, 2000. His TDIU claim is granted with an effective date of that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, headaches, depression, tinnitus, hernia repair, bilateral hearing loss, and scars, significantly impair his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to a total disability rating on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral eye disability (blurred vision), cervical spine disability, and headache disability due to insufficient evidence or conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional records and schedule examinations for the Veteran's shin splints, coronary artery disease, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate development.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen service connection for various conditions were denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The effective date for the award of service connection for anxiety disorder was not advanced as requested.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for head scars, headache disability, TBI, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and hepatitis C have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,The Board has remanded the claim for a disorder manifested by trouble breathing, including COPD and anemia, as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent evaluation, but not more. The Veteran's partial paralysis of the sciatic nerve is granted a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure to obtain all relevant service treatment records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and service connection have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for headaches and PTSD has been granted. The rating for PTSD is at the maximum allowed level of 70 percent.,Service connection for bilateral shin splints has been reopened, but not established as a disability.

The Veteran's PTSD and headaches were denied increased ratings. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with PTSD rated at 70% and headaches rated at 10%.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective September 5, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of migraines productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 12, 2016 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded. Other claims are also being remanded due to outstanding medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are not fully addressed due to new evidence submitted after the July 11, 2019 decision. The issues of service connection for various conditions and an increased rating remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during active service and was instead a natural progression of the disability.

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, vertigo or Meniere’s disease, insomnia, conjunctivitis, cataracts, ulcers, headaches, right-hand and left-hand disabilities, squamous cell skin cancer, cholecystitis (claimed as a gallbladder disability), colitis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disability on the back, PTSD, right knee disability, lower back disability, left knee disability, hypertension, and GERD. The claims are denied as secondary to service-connected disabilities or due to in-service exposure.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the nasal cavity, with metastatic lymph node cancer of the neck and squamous cell cancer of the left alveolar ridge are granted service connection due to exposure to herbicide agents. His bilateral hearing loss disability is also granted as it was proximately caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative joint disease of the right hip/right total hip arthroplasty, claimed as a right hip condition, was reopened and granted.,Service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and migraines, as a residual of TBI, were both granted.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines, including migraine variants, have not manifested as prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months. Therefore, his claim for increased rating is denied.