Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues of service connection for various disabilities, including a left ankle disability, eye disability, thyroid disability, low back disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability (reopened), right knee disability, left knee disability, headaches, and hemorrhoids, are being addressed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disease, and headaches due to secondary service-connected conditions. The appeals are considered 'mixed' as some issues have been granted while others remain in dispute.

All claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability has been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current condition and active service. The Board finds new and material evidence to support this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment from October 1, 2011 to December 31, 2016. After that date, the evidence does not show he was able to obtain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded several issues due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between service and certain disabilities.,These include lung disability, headache disability, dermatological disorder, bilateral foot disability, sleep disorder, hip strain, and ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's headache condition and obstructive sleep apnea for further development. The claims are to be reviewed with a focus on whether these conditions are related to service, particularly considering any in-service symptoms reported by the Veteran and his spouse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for vision problems is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a vision disability.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for neuropathy, coronary artery disease, sleep condition (likely sleep apnea), headache condition, and psychiatric disability (PTSD) are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for post-concussive headaches, but dismissed the claims for tinnitus and scar on chest. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU rating is not considered permanent due to his service-connected PTSD and post-traumatic headaches, which are subject to future examinations. Therefore, the Veteran does not have a permanent and total service-connected disability for DEA benefits.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including scheduling VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and assessing their current severity. The issues are being remanded due to failure to schedule necessary VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions were denied. The lumbar sprain and cervical spine degenerative arthritis prior to August 24, 2011 are rated at 20 percent each, but not higher. Other conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, headaches, and vertigo. The issues include determining whether a TBI occurred during service, whether the current conditions are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, and whether there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headache disability, back disability, right knee disability, and right shoulder disability due to a lack of current disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, migraine headaches, right and left knee patellofemoral syndromes are all denied.

The appeal seeking an increased rating greater than 50 percent for service-connected migraine headaches is dismissed.,The appeals seeking an increased ratings for left and right ankle limitations of motion, tinnitus, and allergic rhinitis (claimed as sinusitis) are dismissed.,An extraschedular total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted solely due to the Veteran’s service-connected migraine headaches and residuals of a traumatic brain injury, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle disorder and bilateral CTS have been reopened, but no service connection has been established. The gastrointestinal disorder, headache disorder, and right foot disorder claims are denied. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle sprain is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for seborrheic dermatitis was dismissed as his representative requested a withdrawal of the appeal. The claims for major depressive disorder and tension headaches were reopened due to new evidence received since their final denial in February and March 2003.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus claims are both granted, with tinnitus being related to service.