Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

Entitlement to an initial disability rating of 50 percent for headaches is granted, effective October 1, 2018.,Entitlement to an initial disability rating of 30 percent for chronic constipation is granted, effective October 1, 2018.,Entitlement to a compensable disability rating for hypertension prior to October 1, 2018, and a rating higher than 10 percent from October 1, 2018, is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches was denied because he refused to attend a VA examination without good cause.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for TBI with posttraumatic headache prior to January 22, 2018 was denied. From January 22, 2018 onwards, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 40 percent or more was also denied.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for a TDIU, which was dismissed as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the appeals for headaches and sleep disorder are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and depression, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.,For migraine headaches, the Board found no nexus to service. For depression, it was determined that while there is a relationship with migraine headaches, as there is no other service-connected condition, secondary service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches, finding that there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's right knee disability.,Service connection for migraine headaches is also granted as secondary to the now service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected headaches, finding that there were not prostrating attacks or severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, is found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran's headaches are determined to be secondary to a service-connected acquired psychological disorder (depression).,There is no evidence of tinnitus that was incurred in and due to the Veteran's time in service.,The Veteran's back condition did not have its onset during service or within one year of discharge, nor is it shown to be causally related to any disease, injury, or incident in service.,Hepatitis B is not found to have begun during active service or be otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran does not have a left foot condition that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,The Veteran does not have a right foot condition that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,Hypertension is not found to be related to the Veteran's military service or manifest within one year of separation from service.,The Veteran does not have a skin condition disorder that was incurred in and due to his time in service.,The Veteran does not have a sleep disorder that was incurred in or due to his time in service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and a rating for tinea versicolor. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA treatment records from 1977 to 2014.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and headaches due to head trauma have been granted increased ratings of 70% each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's disability rating for actinic keratosis was reduced from 30% to noncompensable, and the VA has restored a 30% rating effective January 1, 2014. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic headache disorder is granted. The claims for service connection for right lower extremity neurological disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, femoral radiculopathy, and sciatic radiculopathy are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected memory problems are now considered. The Board has ordered a VA aid and attendance examination to assess if all his disabilities require regular assistance.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for paranoid personality disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for neck disability, myofascial pain syndrome, head pain (including headaches), cervical paraspinal muscle spasms, and occipital neuralgia due to insufficient examination reports addressing all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ was denied.,The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was denied.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected migraine headaches with cluster headaches, as the symptoms are not contemplated by the current rating criteria and render him unable to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased PTSD, service connection for headaches, left knee and right ankle disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, and TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD. The AOJ must obtain updated VA treatment records, verify the Veteran's Reserve service, schedule a VA examination for PTSD, and request additional information for the TDIU claim.