Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee condition, left knee condition, low back strain, and migraines. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial.

The Board has decided the claim is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected migraines and denied a request for an effective date prior to April 12, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied as a matter of law. The Board also remanded several other claims related to the Veteran's right knee, gastrointestinal condition, psychiatric disorder, low back condition, radiculopathy, chronic sinusitis, and headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to work prior to April 13, 2016. The Board denied entitlement to individual unemployability based on extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss disability, erectile dysfunction, a sleep disorder (RLS), and a headache disorder (migraines) are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent for patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for a scar of the left knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent prior to May 29, 2018 and higher than 40 percent from that date for low back strain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a separate evaluation for bilateral sciatic radicular pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding service connection and increased rating for various conditions as the appellant withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (including depression) due to additional development being necessary. This includes obtaining records from his service period in May 1985, private medical records, and VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including sarcoidosis, PTSD, depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, bilateral shin splints, and headaches. The appeals are pending further adjudication.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety has been granted a 50 percent rating.,Seasonal allergic rhinitis is not compensable under the applicable rating criteria.,Service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves have all been granted.,Service connection for eczema has been granted.,Service connection for headaches has been granted.,Left ankle injury with residual small bony fragment of the left os navicularis has been granted.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for migraine headaches and anxiety disorder, which were previously secondary to other conditions. The Board dismissed these appeals as a result.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle condition, TBI, migraines, neck condition, back condition, and nerve condition. The claims are granted in part. However, due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the left ankle condition, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion from a suitable clinician.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches is granted as of January 30, 2012. The effective date for the 50 percent rating remains January 9, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of migraine headaches due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's current migraine headaches may be related to his military service, but a medical examination is needed to determine if they are caused or aggravated by any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, finding that both conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his depression. The initial rating for unspecified depression with anxious distress and alcohol use disorder is denied, but the Veteran receives a higher rating of 50 percent.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 30 percent disabling, effective November 14, 2003. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches throughout the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.,A rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted, based on severe economic inadaptability caused by migraines occurring once every month and lasting up to two days.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it meets the criteria for an increased rating beyond the current 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and vertigo, have rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to March 27, 2019. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to these conditions.