Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's headache disorder, including tension and migraine headaches, is granted as service connected due to the continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's IBS is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found no evidence of exceptional disability that would warrant an extraschedular evaluation.,For his headache disorder, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 for very frequent prostrating attacks. However, the Board determined that he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his headaches were not characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected headaches disability is granted, with the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent effective January 4, 2017. The issue remains in appellate status as the maximum schedular rating has not been assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims file is incomplete, specifically missing documents related to his March 2012 claim for benefits and July 2013 Waiver of Review. The VA must attempt to obtain these documents or provide a formal finding memorandum of unavailability.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches and residuals of a head injury, including memory loss.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and bilateral pes planus have been denied as there is no evidence of a disease or injury related to these conditions during his active duty.,For headaches, the Board found that the Veteran did not incur an event, injury, or disease related to his current headaches during active duty. The preponderance of the evidence showed that he denied having headaches during service and that there was no medical record showing complaints or treatment for headaches until after service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and headaches as the evidence did not establish a nexus to active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in adjudicating the issues raised by the Appellant, including her arguments regarding service connection for coccidiomycosis meningitis and other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, but these claims are still being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a variety of conditions including back, knee, ankle, and brain injury issues. The VA will need to provide additional medical opinions to address the relationship between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of a nasal fracture and post-traumatic headaches as he withdrew his appeal in June 2020.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, increased disability ratings for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 30 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. The Board granted this rating based on evidence showing an average of one prostrating attack per month.

The Veteran's forehead scar is granted service connection. The issues of service connection for head injuries and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The RO is instructed to attempt verification of this exposure and provide a formal finding if further details are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of posttraumatic headaches, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral strain have been denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of June 15, 2010. This decision was inferred from the evidence showing that the Veteran met criteria for SMC at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new lay testimony relating his disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's post-traumatic headache disability, including tension and migraine headaches, is rated at 50 percent effective January 23, 2018. The Veteran also has a claim for TDIU which is remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches with blurred vision are rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran’s headaches occur a few times per month and cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound.