Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected TBI is rated as zero percent disabling, and the Board finds that there are no residuals of his TBI that warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for bilateral hearing loss, effective from the date of decision. The Board also grants TDIU beginning January 30, 2014, but remands the issue of TDIU prior to that date on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's headaches are not secondary to service-connected hypertension and are not otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's lumbar spine multilevel degenerative disc and joint disease with bilateral sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis does not meet the criteria for a 40 percent rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for a low back condition, respiratory conditions (asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder), depression, anxiety, sleep apnea, migraines, left knee condition, right shoulder bursitis, and memory loss. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and clarification of his headache disability, as well as further review of the reduction in rating from 30 percent to noncompensable.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches was dismissed. The claims of service connection for a right knee disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) were granted, with the latter being reopened based on new evidence. The claim for allergic rhinitis is remanded, as is the claim for a right knee disorder secondary to a left knee disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability and headaches need further development due to missing service treatment records from his active duty period in July 2018 to February 2019, and outstanding VA treatment records since June 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues include neuropsychological signs and symptoms, PTSD, neurological signs and symptoms (including migraines), fatigue, pheochromocytoma, and muscle and joint pain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, headaches, sinusitis, deviated nasal septum, bronchiectasis, kidney cyst, and erectile dysfunction. The reasons include the need for additional VA examinations to address the etiology of these conditions in light of the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia and exposure to burn pits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches, including as secondary to his service-connected TMJ, are related to his in-service assault and resulting head injuries. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension as her medical evidence did not support her contention that she needs regular aid and attendance or is permanently housebound.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches alone do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment, as the evidence does not show that they preclude his ability to perform and the mental and physical acts required for such employment.

The Board has determined that further medical examination and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for a headache disorder and major depressive disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks or total occupational and social impairment, respectively.

The Veteran's gastroenteritis (IBS) is not service-connected as it did not originate in service and there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.,The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not service-connected as they were not present during service, and the preponderance of the evidence fails to establish a connection with service or a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and tinnitus did not render him unemployable prior to August 13, 2013, as his employment history showed he was able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's migraines, which are claimed as incurred in service. The remand is due to the lack of sufficient medical evidence to decide the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her service-connected cluster headaches is remanded due to conflicting statements about the severity of her symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound due to a lack of evidence showing she is in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound.