Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection, including those related to syringomyelia, transverse myelitis, hypertension, headaches, and other conditions. The issues are all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected spinal stenosis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 30 percent for his service-connected TBI with residual migraines, finding that the evidence did not support an increased rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased evaluations for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, traumatic brain injury residuals, PTSD with TBI, and migraine headaches. The remand requires obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the February 2018 rating decision that continued a separate 10 percent rating for residuals of TBI, as there was too much overlap between the TBI symptoms and those of the diagnosed psychiatric disability. The Veteran's condition is now rated as major depressive disorder with anxiety features.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent prior to October 29, 2018 and at 70 percent since then. The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to October 29, 2018.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Hypercholesterolemia is not service-connected.,Erectile dysfunction, hypertension, headaches, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability are all remanded for further development.,The Veteran's tinnitus began during his military service. Service connection is granted.,Hypercholesterolemia is not a disability that can be awarded by VA.,Erectile dysfunction, hypertension, headaches, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, lumbar radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability are all remanded for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims will need to be re-evaluated based on new evidence or clarification.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s left shoulder disability is less likely than not caused by his military service due to lack of medical records supporting a chronic condition during service, and right shoulder disability was deferred as the Veteran had not been released from his orthopedic surgeon at the time of examination. The claims are remanded for further development.,The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s left shoulder disability is less likely than not caused by his military service due to lack of medical records supporting a chronic condition during service, and right shoulder disability was deferred as the Veteran had not been released from his orthopedic surgeon at the time of examination. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not shown to cause characteristic prostrating attacks, and thus do not warrant a higher initial evaluation.,Herpes simplex II is currently asymptomatic and does not require any treatment. Therefore, it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied a rating greater than 30 percent for the Veteran's tension headaches, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right knee disability, left knee disability, and skin disability due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks capable of being productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a 50% evaluation for his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for nausea, finding that it is a symptom of her service-connected GERD and headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's symptoms related to his tension headaches, which may warrant an extraschedular rating.

Service connection for a headache disorder and TMJ is denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or causation during service.,Compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to lumbar spine surgeries is denied due to lack of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and psoriasis. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar sprain and strain is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not reach the level of characteristic prostrating episodes to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's PTSD and headaches have been granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss claim is denied. The Veteran's spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine remains at a 40% disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for migraines as there was no evidence showing the Veteran developed these headaches during or within one year of his separation from military service, and the medical records did not support a link between his current migraines and in-service exposure to chemicals.