Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as migraine headaches due to lack of a VA examination. The Veteran contends that his current knee disabilities are related to his service, while his migraine headaches may be related to pre-existing conditions or service.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for headaches was granted, and he is now entitled to this benefit.,Service connection has been established for headaches. The Board found that the Veteran's current headaches are etiologically related to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for breathing problems, neck disability, right knee disability, right ankle disability, ulcerative colitis, pre-cancer of the colon (claimed as colon cancer), headaches, epigastric hernia, and bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and memory loss due an undiagnosed illness, as these issues were not fully developed in accordance with previous remands.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee condition, migraine headaches, and pain disorder with depression or persistent somatic symptom disorder are currently rated at the maximum available levels.

The Veteran was granted an initial rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches prior to April 4, 2015, and a rating of 50 percent as of that date. He also received TDIU effective April 4, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraines and TDIU due to a lack of medical records from when the Veteran was incarcerated. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches, including migraine variants, are related to his service and grants this claim.

Entitlement to an initial disability rating for service-connected headaches higher than 30 percent prior to April 24, 2019 is denied.,Entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) based solely on service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and migraines, but denied service connection for a back disorder and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The initial rating for residuals of traumatic brain injury is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of May 16, 2006. The Board has granted an effective date for the TDIU and DEA benefits but not for SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's headache disorder is not service-connected, and the Board found no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.,The Veteran’s major depressive disorder has been rated at 50% since June 24, 2013. The appeal for an increased rating remains pending.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's skin disorder and tension headaches claims are denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for a higher rating, but granted a 10 percent initial rating for tension headaches prior to April 12, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA medical opinions and missing treatment records. The Veteran's representative argues that his migraine headaches are related to overuse of pain medication, exposure to loud noises, sleep pattern disruption during service, and potential radiation exposure while aboard USS Enterprise.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative disc disease lumbar spine, right knee disability, tension headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (to include depression), finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tension headaches, left knee disability, and right knee disability were denied as the evidence did not show that her conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's headache disorder is aggravated by his service-connected low back, cervical strain, and anxiety disorders. Tinnitus was incurred in wartime service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for chest pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and PTSD), hypertension, headaches, and involuntary muscle spasms/tremors due to incomplete service treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a bilateral foot condition, left knee disability, migraines, and pseudofolliculitis barbae due to the need for further development. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to assess his current diagnoses and their relationship to service.