Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the appeal is, therefore, REMANDED for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches, back disability, sciatica, and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for migraines, a residual of his service-connected traumatic brain injury, has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

A rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted, effective February 21, 2014.,The claim of service connection for a back disorder (characterized as thoracolumbar spine) has been reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates, including his service-connected chronic headaches and coronary artery disease. The remand also includes a request for additional medical records and an examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's heart disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches due to incomplete opinions regarding etiology. The Veteran's service records show exposure to noise during active duty.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information and the need for updated VA treatment records, SSA records, and a new VA examination. The examiner must assess the severity of his service-connected headache disorder and determine if it renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, narcolepsy syndrome (with cataplexy), and GERD have all been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and hypertension were previously denied. New evidence has reopened the claims for these conditions, but not for hypertension.,Service connection was granted for sleep apnea as secondary to major depressive disorder, and headaches as secondary to major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic upper respiratory infection is dismissed. The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches prior to August 25, 2014 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 2, 2010 did not meet the schedular requirements for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). However, her claim is being remanded for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% from August 14, 2015 to May 15, 2019. The Veteran is also granted TDIU for the same period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left knee strain, effective date of service connection for PTSD, major depressive disorder, TBI, cognitive disorder and TBI headaches, and evaluation for PTSD, major depressive disorder, TBI, cognitive disorder and TBI headaches due to lack of clear and unmistakable error in the prior rating decisions.

The Board denied service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, back disorder, and migraine headaches. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have colon cancer and denied service connection for it. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea and headaches (secondary to sleep apnea) are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no indication of intent to apply prior to December 26, 2013.,Claims for effective dates prior to December 26, 2013 are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted. Service connection was established for lumbar spine disability, but denied for post-traumatic headaches and right ear hearing loss.

The Board has vacated its July 25, 2019 decision and remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches. The initial rating for IBS prior to November 9, 2018 is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claim for a higher rating after November 9, 2018 is also denied due to the Veteran receiving the maximum schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various conditions due to outstanding records and additional development needed, including verification of stressors and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, sinusitis, and a lumbar spine disorder (claimed as a curved spine) are being remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for posttraumatic headaches and neck disability were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms, which are adequately contemplated by the current 30 percent ratings.