Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's sinusitis and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and migraines, respectively. He is also granted a 10% disability rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's nasal septal deviation is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 28, 2014. The claim for higher ratings remains pending.,Headaches have been granted an initial 10 percent rating from May 23, 2011 to August 29, 2018 and a 50 percent rating thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, including right side numbness, and a bilateral leg disability (shin splints), finding that there was no evidence of direct causation or a link to service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder aggravates his obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tension headaches and an increased rating for a right hip condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's headaches, fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal disorder are granted service connection due to their onset during his Southwest Asia service. The claims for hypertension and left heel spur have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of continuity of symptomatology from service to present time and failure to consider a stressor event. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to address his remaining claims.

The Veteran's endometriosis is granted a 30 percent evaluation prior to February 28, 2020 and a maximum 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran's migraines are granted a 50 percent rating from February 28, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The cases of left ear hearing loss, skin cancer, toe fungus, and headache disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic headaches, bilateral foot disabilities (other than calluses), left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability (other than calluses), and right foot disability (other than calluses) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's head injury and head scar, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims. The Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions are considered in determining that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for migraine headaches and GERD with hiatal hernia and dyspepsia have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, as well as a headache disability. The Veteran's claims were based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam, but the evidence did not support a finding that his conditions were related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for various symptoms, including hamstring injuries, headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, and a heart condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraines, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, urinary dysfunction, and blurred vision due to incomplete records from a private physician.

The Veteran's death was not due to willful misconduct, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 as his service-connected disability did not qualify him for benefits for at least 10 years immediately preceding death or continuously since discharge from military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to inadequate examination and treatment records, and will provide new VA examinations for right shoulder bursitis and tension headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for low back disorder and migraine disorder due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination reports. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms during active service are considered, and addendum opinions are required from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that the termination of TDIU, SMC, and DEA benefits was proper due to the Veteran's gainful employment after August 15, 2008.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective June 23, 2017. The Board found that the migraines more closely approximate characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one every two months over the last several months.