Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder condition, residuals of right inguinal hernia surgery, migraine headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding service connection for various conditions as the Veteran's authorized representative requested withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has dismissed all issues of entitlement to service connection or disability ratings for various conditions as the appellant withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and erectile dysfunction secondary to PTSD.,Left ear hearing loss has not been shown during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tension headaches prior to June 21, 2013, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter due to a need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated as noncompensable, but a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches and a compensatory rating of 60 percent for fecal incontinence (IBS) are granted.,Fecal incontinence is now assigned an effective date of November 25, 2008.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus claims are denied as they do not warrant a higher rating.,Service connection for various conditions is remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches began during his military service and granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, neck disability, and psychiatric disability have been granted.,A TDIU claim is remanded pending the assignment of appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not determined whether these conditions are related to her military service.,Service connection was denied for migraine headaches as there is no evidence linking them to in-service events.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for a low back disability and for ratings in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, as well as for hypertension prior to February 21, 2019. A rating of 10 percent for hypertension is granted from that date.

The Veteran's migraine headache condition is considered service-connected as it began during his military service and has persisted since then.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to her active service. The examiner is asked to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's appeal is being returned to the RO for completion of the development directed by the Board in its last remand. The issues include service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, and hypothyroidism; rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthrosis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to May 26, 2017 and to a rating higher than 40 percent thereafter; service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity; an effective date earlier than August 19, 2011, for the grant of service connection for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity; and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the rating decision and a need for further medical evaluation regarding the Veteran's posttraumatic headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left hip, back, neck and headache conditions have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection for right foot and right toe disabilities are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including fractures of the wrists and ankles, a foot disorder, hypertension, lacerations to fingers and palms, and a skin condition. The decision states that there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities, loss of vision, and headaches due to outstanding service personnel records, incomplete service treatment records, and incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran will be afforded a new VA examination in each case.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective from May 17, 2016, based on the combined impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendering him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.