Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent effective March 18, 2019.,Service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches secondary to major depressive disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea has been granted service connection, and his migraine headaches have been granted a 30% rating. The issue of whether the Veteran is in substantially gainful employment due to his migraines remains pending.

The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for migraines prior to June 12, 2020. A higher 50 percent rating is not warranted at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for sleep disorder and headaches, so the Board dismissed these claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of a headache disability, including migraine headaches due to conflicting evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), joint pain, headaches, a skin disability, and GERD. The Veteran's conditions were not found to be related to his time in service or due to exposure to toxic substances.

The Board has remanded the claim for total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's employment status and functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities. The case will be returned after further development.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder, finding that the current diagnosis of migraine headaches is not as likely related to an in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent prior to July 22, 2019. Since then, the rating has been denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.,For rhinitis, the Veteran was previously denied a compensable rating and now remains in denial with no higher ratings being granted.

The Veteran's PTSD and headaches were granted service connection, with a TDIU also awarded. The effective date is August 7, 2002.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for headaches due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's headache condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and sleep apnea. The examiner should provide an opinion on these issues.

The Veteran's service connection for IBS and migraine headaches has been granted. The increased rating for migraine headaches is also granted, but subject to the laws and regulations controlling monetary benefits.,Service connection for IBS was established based on a finding of exposure in Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress and other specified trauma and stressor disorder, is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service. Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and headache disability are also granted as secondary to the diagnosed psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's noncompensable reduction of their migraine headaches rating from a 50% to a non-compensable evaluation is restored, effective October 1, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and migraine headaches due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran needs further examinations to determine if he has residuals from his in-service TBI and whether his current migraines are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of April 14, 2009 for service connection of lumbar spine disability and PTSD. The Veteran's headache condition claim is denied as no formal or informal claim was filed prior to October 29, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and a psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and adjustment disorder.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU. The Veteran's VA treatment records are incomplete and must be obtained to ensure a complete record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating on and after February 26, 2013. Service connection for the bilateral eye disability is dismissed. The Veteran's fatigue (manifested as low energy level) is denied as not related to service or his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for PTSD with associated sleep impairment is granted.