Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection on a secondary basis are remanded due to issues regarding the foreseeability of statin-induced side effects and the relationship between the Veteran's psychiatric disorder and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches resulted in characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month. The Board found the 30 percent rating previously assigned to his service-connected migraine disability to be proper for the period prior to October 13, 2015.

The Veteran's tension headaches are not manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months, resulting in a denial of a compensable rating.,Service connection for the bilateral leg disorder is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its onset and causation.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for her service-connected headaches is remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining medical records.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), including post-concussive headaches, is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess the severity of his condition.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals regarding service connection for a neck disorder, a higher initial rating for the headache disorder, and increased disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, right and left hip impairment, limitation of right and left hip flexion, and left knee painful flexion with arthritis. As such, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines from May 17, 2017 to May 15, 2018 was denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and other acquired psychiatric disorders was granted.

The Board denied attorney fees for past-due benefits from the July 2019 TDIU grant due to a lack of timely notice of disagreement (NOD) on the issue.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a higher initial rating of 30 percent effective May 10, 2011. The appellant was awarded attorney fees based on the total award of past-due benefits awarded to the Veteran in the December 2013 rating decision, prior to the withholding for military retired pay.

The Veteran's headache disability, diagnosed as chronic headaches and tension headaches, is granted service connection on the basis of aggravation by his service-connected psychological, lumbar spine, left knee, and left ankle disabilities. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea claim is denied.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of migraines did not have its onset in service or was otherwise unrelated to his military service.,The Board also denied service connection for sleep apnea, concluding that there is no evidence linking the Veteran’s current condition to his active duty.

Service connection for a low back disorder and headaches secondary to PTSD has been granted. Service connection for TMJ disorder was reopened, but not granted.,A disability rating of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is in effect.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's headaches, which may be related to his service-connected left eye cataracts and/or PTSD.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disability, migraine, and tension headache disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development due to the need for VA examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to an injury during active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA).

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's hypertension is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic headache disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD due to inadequate opinions in prior examinations. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a detailed explanation of employment history. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and posttraumatic migraine headaches will also be examined to determine their impact on his employability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a low back disability, sinus disability, migraine headaches, and sciatica due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's conditions preexisted his military service. The case is also remanded for consideration of TDIU.