Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board dismissed the appeals of several service connection claims and denied requests for earlier effective dates. The Veteran's claims were not supported by a proper substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record since the last decision and requires further consideration before a final determination can be made on the claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder and migraine headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine whether it is related to his military service or any other condition. The Veteran must provide additional information and/or evidence, including private treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for right index finger condition, right hand arthritis (including as secondary to right index finger), and reopening of claim of service connection for chronic headaches.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals, indicating she was satisfied with the rating decision and no further action is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach pain, PTSD, and migraines have been denied. The claim for a higher rating for migraines has also been denied. The initial 10 percent disability rating for GERD prior to May 14, 2007 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a noncompensable rating for the Veteran's bilateral knee arthralgia and chondromalacia, migraines, right great toe fracture, and denied service connection for hypothyroidism. The decision also remanded issues related to service connection for other conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and readjudication, including the effective dates for service connection and ratings for various disabilities. The Veteran's claims are also being deferred due to other pending matters such as a claim for service connection for bladder cancer.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches, finding that there was no competent evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's digestive disorder, excluding IBS, is granted as service connected. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder condition and right hand burn have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches. The claim is granted in part.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of a lower back disability and headaches for further development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for headaches, neuropathy of both feet, and PTSD with TBI have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's right and left hand tremors are rated at 20 percent each, effective January 16, 2020.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent, effective January 16, 2020.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the Veteran’s claims for gastrointestinal disability and headaches can be decided, as VA did not substantially comply with the December 2017 Board remand.,The Veteran's hearing loss of the right ear claim was denied because there is no evidence of current disability in accordance to VA standards.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is being remanded as there are no audiological examination results to determine if he currently has a disability.,The Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, headaches (secondary to cervical spine disability), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (secondary to cervical spine disability) are being remanded due to the need for VA examination to assess current conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), increased initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine, cervical spine, migraine headaches, dysphagia, and right shoulder conditions, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 8100, which is 50 percent. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran’s recurrent left hip subluxation is currently rated as 30 percent due to malunion of the femur with slight knee or hip disability. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects forward flexion greater than 30 degrees but less than 60 degrees and combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran’s radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (sciatic nerve) is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects moderate incomplete paralysis. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches and has remanded the claim for service connection for muscle pain, joint pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbance to include an undiagnosed illness caused by Gulf War Syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for migraine headaches and PTSD with bulimia were denied. The rating for migraines was not granted in excess of the current 50 percent, while the PTSD claim had its effective date set to December 15, 2015.