Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's earlier effective dates of July 31, 1983 for the grant of service connection for various conditions have been granted.,Remaining issues related to initial evaluations and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claims seeking to reopen service connection for various conditions have been granted. The Board found that the submitted medical evidence was sufficient to reopen these claims due to new and material evidence.

Service connection for sinusitis, post traumatic headaches, sleep apnea with associated asthma and COPD, and TBI residuals is denied.,An effective date prior to January 21, 2015, for the grant of service connection for post traumatic headaches, sleep apnea with associated asthma and COPD, and TBI residuals is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his combined disability rating is only 50%, and one condition (chronic adjustment disorder with anxiety) is rated at 50%. The Board found that the evidence does not show he is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1815 and § 1805 as she does not meet the legal criteria to qualify for benefits due to her father's exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran was granted service connection for dizziness as secondary to medication taken for his service-connected degenerative disc disease.,An effective date of August 1, 2013, is assigned for the increased rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for alopecia, migraine headaches, low back strain, right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral syndrome, and left foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis and left heel spur due to incomplete development of evidence.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to September 1, 2018 was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his TBI residuals was also denied.

The Veteran's TBI with headaches and vertigo are granted at a 40 percent rating, effective July 10, 2014. The left knee disorder is denied for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective dates related to his service-connected conditions was granted. Service connection for migraine headaches, hypertension, PTSD, folliculitis barbae, small sliding hiatal hernia with aphthous ulcers (claimed as GERD/stomach pains), and left hip strain with osteoarthritis were all established or maintained. Effective dates were set based on the date of claim or entitlement determination.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional examinations and development to address the issues of service connection for tinnitus, bilateral foot condition, headaches, dermatitis, and a claimed sinusitis. The Veteran will be provided with VA medical examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the evidence did not establish a direct or secondary relationship to service. The Veteran's STRs showed no chronic headache complaints and his current condition was first noted years after separation.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, joint swelling and stiffness, bilateral knee disability, back disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The effective date of service connection for PTSD is set at November 1, 2010.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and a headache disability, but denied the claim for increased rating for tinnitus. The effective date of the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine disability, left foot disability, migraine disability, right hand disability, CFS, and GI disabilities (IBS and GERD) have been granted. The claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to PTSD has also been granted.

Entitlement to initial ratings for headaches and seizures has been granted.,For headaches, a 10% rating is granted effective September 30, 2008, with a 30% rating from June 20, 2015 onwards. For seizures, a 10% rating is granted prior to September 20, 2017, and an 80% rating is granted thereafter.

The appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, schedule an examination for the acquired psychiatric disorder, and provide a medical opinion regarding any sleep disorder. The dependent benefits claim for FM, GM, and LMM will also be addressed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been found to be very frequent and completely prostrating, resulting in severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the veteran's service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a new VA opinion to address whether his headaches are related to service, including an October 1970 fall during active duty. The opinion must consider specific medical records and the Veteran's reported history of dizzy spells associated with positional hypotension.