Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinus condition, headache condition, bilateral knee condition, gastrointestinal condition, and low back condition due to deficiencies in the VA examinations.

The Board has remanded three issues related to service connection: chronic sinusitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and headaches. The reasons for this are that the Veteran's complete service records, including his periods of active duty for training and inactive duty training in the Army Reserve, need to be verified and obtained.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous remand directives and additional development is required, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Social Security Administration records. An addendum medical opinion from a VA examiner is needed regarding whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for headaches and a head injury have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on tinea pedis and post-surgical scarring have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations on bilateral hallux valgus to include on an extraschedular basis have been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran’s headaches are related to his service-connected tinnitus and whether they have been aggravated by it.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD and depression) has been remanded. The examiner is asked to determine if the Veteran experienced military sexual trauma during service and if he currently suffers from PTSD or any other psychiatric disability as a result of that stressor.,The Veteran's appeal for TDIU has been remanded due to possible worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination in April 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's chronic headache disorder and TDIU prior to September 15, 2014 are granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of migraine headaches is related to her service due to a continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for OSA and a nasal/respiratory disability is granted. His claim for chronic headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches is denied, and the issue of increased rating for acne on the back area is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back strain, cervical strain, right ankle strain, tinnitus, eczema, and headaches, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA, which is secondary to his service-connected CAD and acquired psychiatric disorder, has been granted. The claims for other conditions have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of head injury and various disorders, including migraine headaches, as there was no evidence showing a direct link to active service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an increased evaluation and TDIU for migraine headaches due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, right knee disability, hypertension, hemiplegic migraines, transient ischemic attacks/stroke, and Bell’s palsy has been granted. The claims are based on direct evidence of a relationship between the disabilities and service.,Service connection is established for each condition listed above.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines and lung disability have been reopened due to new evidence. The cases are being remanded for further examination and determination of whether the conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA examination to assess the Veteran's migraine cephalgia. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding VA treatment records from North Chicago VAMC.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, vertigo, headaches, high blood pressure, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis of the liver as there is no evidence of current diagnoses or a link to military service.,A 20 percent rating was granted for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for reactive airway disease, seizure disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches due to a lack of medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to his active duty service or pre-existing conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals, simple fracture, nasal bones, with chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches. The criteria for a higher rating were not met as there was no evidence of three or more incapacitating episodes per year of sinusitis requiring prolonged antibiotic treatment.