Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and an effective date prior to December 9, 2017, is denied.,PTSD was granted a 30 percent disability rating in June 2016, which was continued in May 2018. A 50 percent rating for PTSD is now effective from December 9, 2017.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy were initially rated at 10 percent each, with a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine and 20 percent ratings for both lower extremities granted in August 2018. The effective date is December 9, 2017.,PTSD was granted a 30 percent disability rating in June 2016, which was continued in May 2018. A 50 percent rating for PTSD is now effective from December 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The appeals will be considered again after further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, including knee and cervical spine conditions, as well as neurological and migraine headaches, all potentially related to his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his chronic vascular headaches with dizziness, loss of equilibrium, head pain, and neck pain has been denied as the highest schedular rating is already assigned.,The March 2009 decision denying service connection for Cushing's disease is final. The Veteran's new evidence received since then is considered sufficient to reopen his claim, but it does not provide a clear link between his current condition and his active service.,Service connection has been granted for the left foot disability (gout) and left elbow disability, both related to in-service injuries. Service connection for right knee disability is also granted.,The Veteran's hypertension needs further evaluation as VA treatment records since November 2015 have not been provided. The examiner should assess whether his current disabilities are aggravated by service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a right shoulder disability, left hip disability (arthritis of the fingers), and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's headaches disability, rated at 60 percent on an extraschedular basis since September 12, 2006, is found to have caused marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied due to lack of evidence linking the disabilities to service or a service-connected condition. The RO found no new and material evidence in the additional records received since the previous decisions.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating for service-connected headaches, finding that the schedular criteria adequately described the Veteran's disability picture and symptoms. The Veteran was already receiving a TDIU rating due to his severe headache symptoms.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's failure to appear for scheduled VA examinations. The examinations must be rescheduled as there is no evidence showing that the Veteran received proper notice of his scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70% disability rating.,Right ear hearing loss was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed hearing loss disability for VA purposes and his sleep apnea is not related to service. The back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder claims are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum and right shoulder disability are not shown to have caused or aggravated his headaches. The Board denied service connection for the headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for concussion headaches and right upper extremity radiculopathy, to include as secondary to service-connected cervical strain, was granted. The rating assigned is 100%.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, right hand arthritis, and a right knee disability have been denied. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the severity of his PTSD with TBI and to determine if he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches, claimed as secondary to his service-connected idiopathic orthostasis with syncope (also claimed as epilepsy), is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches), are found to be related to his service. The remaining claims for service connection have been remanded.,Service connection is granted for flatfoot (pes planus) and migraine, including migraine variants (claimed as tension headaches).

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, with a combined disability rating of 90 percent for her service-connected conditions. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities preclude all substantially gainful employment due to her migraines and psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a head condition, tinnitus, right ankle disability (status post Achilles tendon repair), sciatic nerve disabilities of the left and right lower extremities, right hip disability, left hip disability, neck disability, and migraines have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability has been reopened due to new and material evidence. The Board finds that there is no evidence showing a chronic condition in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for fibromyalgia, tinnitus, and bronchitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for migraines with a 40 percent rating, but no higher. Her scar left knee associated with tricompartmental chondromalacia status post meniscus surgery received a noncompensable rating. The Board also remanded several issues including the initial compensable rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.