Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been remanded due to the need for further development. The issues of service connection remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including issues related to service connection and disability ratings. The case will be returned to the AOJ for consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for erectile dysfunction, GERD, a skin disability, and headaches due to their potential impact on the Veteran's TDIU claim. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and remanded the remaining issues due to additional development being required.

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain and review inpatient, outpatient, and emergency room treatment records from Fort Eustis for the Veteran's period of service between December 1990 and July 1991. The claim will be reconsidered based on this new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's reported stressors are consistent with his service in Bosnia and that he experienced actual or threatened death or serious injury. The other claims have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for migraines and asthma have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating than 30 percent for both conditions.,Service connection claims for low back and left knee disabilities are remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Board has remanded the claims for entitlement to service connection for a headache disability and a foot disability, including pes planus, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability. Additional development is needed due to new evidence and specific contentions from the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, thus his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's post-concussive syndrome with memory loss, inability to concentrate, and blurred vision is currently rated at 10 percent under DC 8045 since August 16, 2018. The issue of a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent prior to April 20, 2011 and 50 percent thereafter under DC 8045-8100. The issue of a higher rating also remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis but remanded the issues of service connection for headaches and sleep apnea, as well as TDIU. The Veteran's headaches are being considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that low testosterone is not a compensable disability, the anxiety disorder does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the back disability did not warrant an increase to 100%, headaches do not meet criteria for a higher rating, bilateral hearing loss was rated appropriately, and hypertension did not warrant an increase.

The Veteran's left thoracic outlet syndrome is rated at 10 percent, and her mixed headache disorder results in a combined rating of 80 percent. The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's left thoracic outlet syndrome does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinea pedis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is likely aggravated by his active duty. The issue of service connection for migraines was dismissed as moot due to its full grant in a previous rating decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left wrist disability, right wrist disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and night terrors), degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as an upper and lower back condition), left leg disability (claimed as restless leg syndrome), and bilateral foot disability (claimed as flatfeet).,The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headache disability, and ovarian disability prevented her from obtaining substantially gainful employment since November 8, 2017. The Board granted an effective date of November 8, 2017 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for congestive heart failure, sleep apnea, headaches, and high blood pressure have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,Service connection has also not been granted for spinal stenosis, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and headaches due to inadequate examination in July 2019. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The appeal seeking service connection for recurrent ingrown toenails, a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, and an earlier effective date prior to July 7, 2017 for the grant of service connection for Ewing’s sarcoma is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.