Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches and traumatic brain injury have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 9, 2008 for the grant of a 50 percent rating for somatic disorder with tension headaches with PTSD and depressive disorder is denied. The Board also remanded two issues related to her service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected residuals, head injury with cognitive disorder and entitlement to an increased evaluation of post concussive headaches (previously evaluated as migraine headaches). The propriety of reduction from 70 percent to 40 percent effective March 1, 2014, for residuals, head injury with cognitive disorder and the propriety of reduction from 30 percent to 0 percent effective March 1, 2014, for migraine headaches are also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been dismissed as the RO issued a Statement of the Case continuing the current evaluations and denying the claims.,The Veteran did not file a substantive appeal, thus the Board lacks jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Veteran's increased ratings for cluster headaches and tinnitus, as well as his service connection claims for various conditions, are denied.,Service connection is not granted for head injury, breathing problems, blurred vision, or orthopedic problems.

An initial rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches is granted.,A rating of 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available, for migraine headaches is granted from April 16, 2018. An initial rating of 20 percent for cervical spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's other specified trauma or stressor-related disorder is rated at 100% and effective as of April 9, 2015. The left wrist sprain and left knee instability are both granted service connection with an effective date of August 7, 2018.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the right eye condition and service connection for CFS, muscle aches and weakness (including fibromyalgia and Vitamin D deficiency), PTSD, IBS, weight loss, and migraines. The Veteran's GBS with Bell’s palsy is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the rating for low back disability, adjustment disorder, post-traumatic headaches, and left knee disability. The AOJ is required to issue a statement of the case for TDIU prior to July 19, 2016, and readjudicate all claims.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including unspecified anxiety disorder and peripheral neuropathy, related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for migraines, bilateral flat feet, and a right foot injury due to insufficient medical opinions in the previous VA examinations.

Service connection is granted for Traumatic Brain Injury, Headache disorder (secondary to TBI), and Bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is denied for Left foot disorder, Loss of smell, and Loss of taste.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches, finding that there is no evidence of such condition during service or within one year post-service. The current tension headaches are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disability, finding that the Veteran's headaches did not begin during service and are not related to his service.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep disorder, arthritis (joint pain), and fibromyalgia. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's asthma, rhinitis, and sleep apnea have been granted service connection. The initial compensable disability ratings for IBS and left knee patella chondritis were denied. The appeal on lumbar degenerative disc disease, dermatitis, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, GERD, gall bladder disease, post cholecystectomy, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition, as well as for a headache disorder. The claims for chronic neck disorder, chronic back disorder, chronic right knee disorder, and chronic left knee disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's service-connected hemorrhoids and migraine headaches. The effective date of service connection for internal hemorrhoids remains September 30, 2008.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and ensuring proper notice is provided for her PTSD claim based on military sexual trauma.