Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left leg RSD, right peroneal nerve RSD, migraine headaches, and a skin disability. The Veteran will need new examinations for her RSD and migraine headaches, and a VA examination for her skin disability.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling examinations for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine. The remaining issues have been remanded due to need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has denied reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including aggravation of injuries from an automobile accident, diabetes mellitus, fatigue, hypertension, sleep apnea, headaches, and dizziness. The claims are remanded for a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's reported dizziness.

The appellant has withdrawn both her claims for service connection for tinnitus and an increased rating for migraines.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied in April 2012 due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Board found that there was clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in this decision, as the correct facts and applicable law were not considered, and new evidence showed the Veteran's migraines were likely related to her service.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was received since the most recent statements of the case and requires further consideration. The claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for readjudication.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headache disability is now rated at the highest possible level (50%) throughout the appeal period, reflecting very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded three issues: increased ratings for PTSD, migraine headaches, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the right wrist disability effective June 24, 2011. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for migraine headaches, TBI residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and disability ratings in excess of 30 percent, 70 percent, or more for various conditions. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for migraine headaches is remanded due to the failure of a scheduled VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after the rescheduled examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an increased rating for degenerative joint disease, C5-6 and C6-7, and a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and panic attacks now claimed as secondary to headaches, is being remanded back to the RO for consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for headaches, rhinitis/sinusitis, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and chest pain. Service connection has also been denied for hyperlipidemia.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, headaches, and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus, depression, and medication use. Service connection was denied for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, colon cancer, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected cluster headaches, finding that he could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, sleep disability, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson disease, circulatory disability, gastroesophageal disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities has been granted. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, bilateral upper extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral lower extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral foot disability, skin disability, and service connection for a lumbar spine disability have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at a 30 percent since the period covered by the claim, with no higher rating granted.