Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's tension headaches and major depressive disorder with anxious distress have been granted service connection, with a 70 percent rating since February 27, 2017. The effective dates for service connection and increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the effective date of his temporary total evaluation was not earlier than September 21, 2015, and denied higher schedular ratings for his right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine and headache disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for service-connected headaches and remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected cervical spine strain due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to assess his current level of impairment.

The Veteran's chronic adjustment disorder and migraine headaches have been granted increased ratings, with a TDIU also being granted. The current effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue to reopen his previously denied claim for bilateral pes planus and bilateral plantar fasciitis was dismissed.,His initial rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches remains at 50 percent, as he is already in receipt of the maximum available rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and tension headaches due to incomplete development regarding the Veteran's alleged exposures. The Veteran is required to provide information about his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, herbicides, hazardous chemicals (including asbestos), and ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic anemia and headaches, including due to Gulf War undiagnosed illness, were denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent, migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to May 25, 2016 and 10 percent after that date. The Veteran also receives a grant for total unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches and their relationship to service-connected lipomas.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded this issue for further development.,For migraines, the Veteran is seeking a rating in excess of the current 30 percent.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, loss of muscle in the right upper extremity, neck disability, and sinusitis are all being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for other specified trauma and stressor disorder with depressive disorder is granted, effective May 3, 2016. The rating assigned is 70 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung condition, to include the residuals of a collapsed lung. The Veteran was not found to have any current respiratory disability that is related to her active military service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for blood clots. There is no evidence in the record showing that she has had a blood clot-related disability during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension and pancreatitis are denied. The claim for migraines is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches due to evidentiary issues, requiring a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted service connection, but his hypertension, inguinal hernia, and headaches are denied as they did not begin during service or are not related to in-service events.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 14, 2012. The evidence did not show that his service-connected disabilities alone prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines was denied as the evidence did not show that his headaches were very frequent and completely prostrating, resulting in severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and incomplete paralysis of the right femoral nerve associated with intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes are remanded as the VA examination did not address flare-ups.