Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches, effective February 21, 2017. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experiences very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of non-migraine headache pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, tension headaches, and scars of the bilateral shoulders and knees due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, back, bilateral shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities, as well as service connection for migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of VA examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The issues include bilateral shoulder disorder, skin disorder, headache disorder, and vision disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines has been granted. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins remain denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD, and seizure disorder. The decision is based on direct evidence of a relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for further development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest possible level of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.,PTSD with major depression, panic disorder, and cognitive disorder is granted at a 70 percent rating prior to October 15, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal seeking increased ratings for various conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for headaches as they are not related to the Veteran's in-service complaints and do not have a direct link to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50% disability rating since January 5, 2011. This is the highest schedular rating available under DC 8100.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher evaluations for posttraumatic headaches was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to May 9, 2013 and from May 9, 2013 onwards.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the preexisting condition existed prior to service.,The Veteran’s alcohol use disorder is considered a result of his own willful misconduct and was not caused by military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines and a compensable rating for polymorphous light eruption. The decision found that new evidence did not support reopening of the claim for migraines, and that the Veteran’s skin condition under current criteria does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's headache disability is rated at 30 percent prior to February 11, 2019, and at the maximum of 50 percent from May 1, 2019. The claim for higher ratings is denied as his condition did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of these levels.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic headaches and left-lung disorder, due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The AOJ is instructed to verify the Veteran's claimed exposures and obtain a VA examination/medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and his headaches. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's initial 20 percent rating for lumbar degenerative joint disease was restored, effective April 10, 2018. Service connection for migraine headaches was denied.