Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a sleep condition is denied. The rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches is also denied. The reduction from 20% to noncompensable rating for RLE radiculopathy is upheld.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted a 30% rating, effective August 13, 2012. The issue of an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and PTSD have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective September 29, 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and/or adaptive equipment due to lack of loss or permanent loss of use of hands or feet, ankylosis of knees or hips, or vision impairment.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left calf disability, sinusitis, left hip strain, right hip strain, chronic airway dysfunction, tension headaches, dermatitis with rosacea, left thigh strain, costochondritis, and a 10 percent evaluation for multiple noncompensable disabilities. The remand requires obtaining VA treatment records from March 2015 to the present and private healthcare provider records.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of left knee disability as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability, but denied the underlying merits of the claim. The Veteran is also seeking an increased rating for his chronic tension headaches.,The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development due to new information provided by the Veteran, including medical articles supporting his claims. An independent medical opinion is needed from a non-VA specialist in orthopedics.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, Churg-Strauss syndrome, esophageal cancer, multiple sclerosis, and headaches have all been denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of herbicide exposure during service, and thus no presumptive service connection is warranted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus claim was denied as the disability did not manifest within a year of service or be related to an in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's service-connected post-concussive headaches, including vertigo, are granted a separate 30 percent rating effective June 17, 2013. The issue of a higher rating for the lumbar spine disability and TDIU prior to June 17, 2013 is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation, thus his claim for TDIU was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, neck disability, headaches, shrapnel wound to the face, tailbone condition, neurological impairment of upper and lower extremities, left shoulder disability, and dental disability due to service connection. The reasons include lack of documented treatment in some cases, need for new examinations, and potential service connection based on a motor vehicle accident.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for further development and examination, including a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's vestibular migraine disorder is related to his in-service exposure.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding an increased rating for tension headaches before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and a low back condition have been denied as there is no competent evidence showing that these conditions began in or are causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and granted. The claims for right shoulder, headache disorder, hypertension, and bicipital tendonitis and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder remain pending.

An effective date of September 30, 2009 is granted for the assignment of total rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for education benefits under Chapter 35. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded substantially gainful employment since at least September 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected unspecified schizophrenia and other psychotic disorder.

The Veteran's total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 29, 2018 is denied.,The Veteran's initial disability rating for headaches from April 13, 2011 to August 20, 2018 remains at 30 percent.,The Veteran's initial disability rating for headaches from August 20, 2018 is denied as the condition meets the criteria for a 50% rating.,A VA examination was conducted for the Veteran’s right hip disabilities. The examiner noted pain and limitations but could not determine if these significantly limited her functional ability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an eye disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claims during her hearing.,Her claim of service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened due to new and material evidence, and she is now granted service connection for this condition.