Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and additional development is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and effective dates for various conditions, including follicular infection on the head and chest, right and left knee disorders, headaches, muscle and joint pain, neurological disorder, respiratory disorder, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, and major depressive disorder. The Veteran is also requested to provide additional medical records and undergo examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to concerns regarding the adequacy of VA medical opinions and the need for further consideration of certain exposures.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are rated as noncompensable, and the claim for increased ratings is denied.,The Veteran meets schedular requirements for a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a scar on the back of the head, and migraine headaches as these conditions are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by active military service.

New and material evidence has been added to the record for a cervical spine disability claim. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD may be causing his migraine headaches.,The Veteran's jaw disability claim is denied as no new or material evidence was submitted. No current diagnosis of a jaw disability was found in the records.,A TDIU request for the period prior to June 1, 2016 is moot due to the Veteran receiving a 100% evaluation for his service-connected PTSD beginning on that date.,The Veteran's skin condition claim is remanded as VA has not yet determined if it is related to Agent Orange exposure or an in-service injury.,A cervical spine disability claim is remanded as VA needs to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck pain, including whether it is related to service-connected PTSD or a burn pit injury.,The Veteran's skin condition claim is remanded for similar reasons.

The Veteran's headaches were found to be less severe than initially assessed, as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board denied an increased rating prior to October 1, 2019.

The Veteran's headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision are not etiologically related to service or found secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus and plantar keratosis has not been manifested by pronounced symptoms such as marked pronation, extreme tenderness of the plantar surfaces, marked inward displacement and severe spasm of the Achilles tendon.

Service connection for PTSD, a left knee disorder, OSA, COPD, GERD, and headaches has been granted.,Effective dates prior to the specified dates have not been established.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evaluations and documentation to determine his eligibility for VR&E services, including a change in the vocational rehabilitation employment goal, additional education in pursuit of an M.D., or other appropriate training.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches, including those related to his service-connected low back disability, need further examination and opinion before a final decision can be made.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder and tension headaches (claimed as head injury) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to use of custom insoles/sling supports was denied as shoes are not classified as articles of 'clothing' that can be damaged by wear and tear for purposes of a VA clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 6, 1997, for TDIU was granted. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied as the maximum schedular rating has already been assigned.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple disabilities were denied, and the effective dates assigned are not earlier than February 27, 2017.,VA did not grant an earlier effective date for SMC at the housebound rate as the Veteran did not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% prior to February 27, 2017.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome is dismissed as the benefit sought has been fully granted.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to military service.,Headaches are not rated higher than zero percent, as they do not meet criteria for more severe ratings based on frequency and severity.,Right knee osteoarthritis prior to July 24, 2015 is granted a staged initial rating of 10 percent.,Right knee osteoarthritis from July 24, 2015 onwards is denied as the current symptoms do not warrant higher ratings based on severity and limitation of motion.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet criteria for compensable ratings.,Sinusitis is not rated higher than zero percent due to lack of evidence of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development of evidence regarding the Veteran's employability and non-service-connected disabilities. The VA must schedule an examination to assess the severity and permanency of all his disabilities, including their impact on employment.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of traumatic brain injury, to include memory loss and headaches was denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for headaches was also denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shoulder osteoarthritis, a neck disorder (DJD), and headaches. The claims for knee disorders were denied as there was no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient verification of in-service head injury from a motor vehicle collision and for an examination to determine if the Veteran's headaches are related to any in-service disease, event, or injury.