Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of a headache disorder is granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for bladder cancer due to exposure to chemical agents, as well as service connection for a headache disorder secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the Board finds that he is unemployable due to his service-connected back disability and associated headaches. The case will be referred to VA’s Director, Compensation Service for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee disability, gastrointestinal disability, and headache disability due to unresolved issues. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the left knee claim.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraines and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) is remanded due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims. The VA examiner’s opinion based on inaccurate factual premises must be disregarded, and a new examination is required.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for brain cancer and lung cancer was granted. The claims for service connection for a headache disability, bladder cancer, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss were denied.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is remanded for a new examination to determine if it is related to service.,The Veteran's headache disorder is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing his in-service head injury and complaints of headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current TBI residuals are related to his service. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if he has any TBI-related symptoms and their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an initial 50 percent rating for migraines is granted. The Veteran also has other service-connected conditions, but the appeal does not address their effective dates or whether they are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, left knee, right leg, left leg, muscle disorder, eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, skin rash disability, chronic pain disorder, and neck disability. The decision also denied reopening of previously denied claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and left shoulder condition due to conflicting evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache condition is remanded due to an inadequate opinion from the May 2018 VA examiner. The case must be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a back disability was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.,The Board has remanded cases involving service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, left ear hearing loss disability, right ear hearing loss disability, tension headaches (secondary to service-connected tinnitus), and thyroid disability.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, as his combination of migraines, lumbosacral disc bulge, left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the lumbar spine, and depressive disorder makes him unable to secure or follow gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and gastrointestinal disability is being remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for left knee DJD, right knee DJD, headaches, and CFS due to deficiencies in the VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is part of the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's neck disability and headaches are being remanded for further investigation due to missing VA treatment records.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% for the entire appeal period, with frequent and prolonged attacks causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability has been granted a 30 percent disability rating, but no higher. The preponderance of the evidence indicates that he experiences or would experience (without medication) prostrating attacks at least once a month.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart disorder and chronic headaches, including migraine headaches. The decision states that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.