Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 14, 2010 as he was gainfully employed on a full-time basis and there is no evidence of protected employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to new evidence received after the last supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The Veteran's cervical spine disability and migraine headaches are being evaluated further.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further verification of his National Guard service. The AOJ is instructed to obtain missing medical records, verify his periods of active duty, and consider possible undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness if confirmed.

The Veteran's initial claim for headaches and PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was denied, but a higher rating of 50 percent was granted for the latter condition prior to September 28, 2018.,For the period from September 28, 2018, onwards, the Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck disabilities, as well as his headaches (including as secondary to a neck disability), are not service-connected due to insufficient evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, headaches with dizziness, and left thumb disability. The appeals are now pending before VA for further examination and determination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient rationale in the January 2019 decision and the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's cluster headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for skin disorder, to include skin cancer and as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA mental health evaluation to assess the Veteran's depression and headache disorder. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) and increased rating for headaches are also on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, left ankle condition, bilateral knee condition, lower back condition, and headaches is denied as there are no new or material evidence to reopen the claims. The current rating for PTSD already covers her anxiety and depression symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for TBI, service connection for headaches, and service connection for acquired psychiatric disability including major depressive disorder and PTSD. The Veteran needs a new examination to assess the current severity of his TBI and whether any headache or psychiatric disabilities are proximately caused by TBI.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for skin condition, migraine headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) by submitting written correspondence withdrawing these issues.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to her service-connected migraines not meeting the schedular requirements, but the evidence shows she cannot work due to her condition. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for her headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to maintain gainful employment, and the Board denied a TDIU.

The Veteran's tension headaches need to be re-evaluated due to worsening symptoms reported since his last examination. He is being asked to provide more recent medical records and undergo a new VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for sleep apnea under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and granted secondary service connection for a headache disorder (tension headaches).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including migraines, is granted. The claims for right knee iliotibial band syndrome, right shoulder condition, and elbow condition are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, effective dates, and TDIU due to additional submitted evidence. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted as presumptively related to his service in Vietnam due to herbicide exposure. The left knee disorder, chronic headaches, and high blood pressure are denied as not being related to service or service-connected conditions.