Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and duty to assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis status post distal clavicle fracture surgical repair. The claim for neck disability, which is also related to the right shoulder condition, was denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date related to service-connected migraines was denied as the August 2018 decision that granted service connection and assigned an effective date of July 5, 2018 became final due to the withdrawal of his appeal. The earliest evidence of record he sought to file a claim for increase of migraines is May 16, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and TDIU due to various disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, a headache condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to August 20, 2016 and at 50 percent since September 12, 2017. The Board found that the symptoms were not severe enough for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, headaches secondary to PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and sleep apnea is not reopened. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating effective from February 8, 2018. An earlier effective date for the increased PTSD rating cannot be established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause her to be unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 16, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip condition, right hip condition, migraine headaches, and hypothyroidism due to environmental exposures in Southwest Asia. The AOJ must issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of medical opinions.,Specifically, the Board is directed to obtain a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran’s claimed gynecological disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to warrant higher ratings, and the claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder prior to May 18, 2015 and denied a higher rating. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow any substantially gainful employment since September 27, 2012. Effective as of that date, he is granted a TDIU and basic eligibility for DEA benefits.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches were granted a 50% rating effective July 8, 2015. Prior to that date, the Veteran was not entitled to any higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for blurry vision and headaches due to service, as the record is not clear on how these conditions are related to military service. The Veteran needs to provide more information about in-service incidents that may have caused his symptoms.

The Board has denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Headaches, but has remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to headaches.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and persistent depressive disorder are remanded due to inadequate opinions in the original VA examinations. The Board requests additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for various conditions. The effective dates are not specified as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to December 19, 2019 and denied for a higher rating. For the period from December 19, 2019, his disability is denied for a higher rating.,For the period from December 19, 2019, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 20 percent and denied for a higher rating. His cerebral aqueduct stenosis with headaches were granted a 30 percent rating prior to December 19, 2019.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, and headache disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development.