Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for left knee disorder, right hip disorder, and headaches. The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 100% rating from May 6, 2016 to February 26, 2018.

The Veteran's death was caused by a probable pulmonary embolism, which is not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's ischemic heart disease and migraine headaches did not substantially contribute to his death.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased evaluation, earlier effective date, and service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities were also dismissed. The appeal was remanded for examination on the issues of service connection for headaches and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's sleep disorder is dismissed as it is already established and compensated through his service-connected adjustment disorder.,A 50% disability rating for migraines is granted, resolving the Veteran's appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for GERD and migraine headaches due to incomplete STRs, lack of treatment records, and conflicting information regarding the nature of her scar. The Veteran will need to provide updated STRs, VA and private treatment records, and a medical examination to determine the etiology of her conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been reopened, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support his claims. The Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to service, tinnitus has reached its maximum rating, and bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are not rated higher than noncompensable, as there is no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months.,The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent prior to June 13, 2017; 40 percent from June 13, 2017, to April 26, 2019, and above 40 percent thereafter. The VA examinations did not reveal any exceptional pattern of hearing impairment.

The Veteran's initial ratings for vasomotor rhinitis, left wrist condition, and right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.,The Veteran's initial rating for a right knee disability is being remanded as his representative submitted an independent medical opinion suggesting that it may be secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. Updated VA examination is needed.,The Veteran's claims of varicose veins, back condition, gastrointestinal disability (manifesting in blood in stool), prostate condition, and hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and medical opinions regarding their etiology.,The Veteran's recurrent sinus condition and right eye condition are being remanded as his representative submitted an independent medical opinion suggesting that they may be secondary to his service-connected vasomotor rhinitis. Updated VA examination is needed.

The Board denied an increased rating for PTSD and a compensable rating for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on their severity.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and posttraumatic headaches, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service head injury during a personal assault.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a headache disability, and sleep apnea due to procedural issues. The rating of lumbar spondylosis remains at 20 percent prior to January 18, 2018, and 40 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's GERD has been granted an initial rating of 30 percent, effective November 2, 2016. The Board found that the symptoms are productive of considerable impairment of health.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headache, back, right hip, and neck disabilities due to lack of evidence of current disability.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and posttraumatic stress disorder. The evaluation for migraine headaches remains at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a seizure disorder was reopened and granted, with the Board finding that his current seizure disorder is related to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Service connection for headaches, claimed as secondary to TBI, was denied. The Board found no medical nexus between the current headaches and either active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for sleep apnea, sinus disorder, and migraine headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with contested claims procedures and a possible response from the Veteran. The issue of additional attorney fees will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's TBI rating was restored to 30 percent effective April 1, 2016. Service connection for headaches was granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a back condition, neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, a right knee condition, and residuals of a head injury are remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claims.