Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while bilateral hearing loss and other conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted, effective March 22, 2019. The evidence showed that the Veteran needed help with most activities of daily living due to his service-connected mental health conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition has been granted. However, his claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and other conditions have been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, headaches, and dry eyes ratings are remanded due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin condition and a headache condition are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches, PTSD, and depression due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's belt lipectomy/abdominoplasty scar and migraines are granted, but the service connection for insomnia is remanded due to missing records from a sleep specialist.

The Veteran's migraines and PTSD are currently rated at 50 percent, but the Board has found that he experiences frequent prostrating headaches and PTSD flare-ups. The case is remanded to obtain additional VA examinations for these issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar and cervical spine degenerative disc diseases, chronic headaches, sinusitis, right hip disability, traumatic brain injury residuals, auditory processing disorder, and psychiatric disabilities. The remand requires obtaining relevant medical records from Social Security Administration and the Okaloosa Vet Center.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding treatment records and additional evidence added since the last supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran was given an opportunity to respond, but did not do so.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasoning in previous opinions and a need for further medical evaluation regarding whether service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's cause of death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, nor are they independently ratable at 60 percent. Therefore, the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or on housebound status have not been met.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including vertigo, loss of balance, and headaches, were not shown to be related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 50 percent, and extraschedular consideration is not warranted.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than the current 40 percent evaluation.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the lower right extremity warrants a 20 percent rating, and his radiculopathy of the lower left extremity is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran’s residuals of a right foot fracture are rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent, and his residuals of a left foot fracture are also rated at 10 percent.,The Veteran's tinnitus is rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent.,All remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's interstitial lung disease with hemoptysis and shortness of breath (SOB) does not meet the criteria for a higher than 30 percent rating based on pulmonary function test results.,The Veteran's right upper extremity hypesthesia is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, effective December 19, 2012.,The Veteran's right facial hypesthesia is granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective December 19, 2012.

The Veteran's service connection for thyroid cancer is granted. The claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied.

The Veteran's migraine rating remains at 50 percent, which is the highest available under VA regulations.,The schizophrenia claim has been remanded due to inadequate medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chin laceration, right shoulder condition, and migraine headaches due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in the line of duty.

The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD) and a headache disability is denied. The effective date for the grant of a 50 percent rating for the headache disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, bilateral shoulder disorders, TBI, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the left upper extremity has been reopened. Service connection is granted for headaches and TBI. The claims for bilateral shoulder disorders and both types of radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and other conditions render him unable to work, leading to a grant of TDIU. He also needs aid and attendance due to his PTSD symptoms.