Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for headaches will be readjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed due to untimely notices of disagreement. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cervical spine and headache disabilities, finding that there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's application to reopen her sleep apnea claim is granted, and she is entitled to an effective date prior to October 31, 2015 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the etiology of her sleep apnea and to assess the current severity of her PTSD, cluster headaches, right foot heel spur, left ankle sprain with heel spurs, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's GERD was granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent from October 1, 2015 to March 30, 2018.,The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent from October 1, 2015 to March 30, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and migraines due to incomplete or inconsistent medical opinions in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened and granted. The disability had its inception during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and outstanding SSA documents that may be relevant to the Veteran's headaches claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches due to lack of evidence showing a chronic condition in service or within one year following discharge. The Board also remanded the issues regarding increased ratings for right and left thumb DJD, finding that an adequate examination was not provided.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for migraines prior to September 27, 2016 is denied. A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches effective from September 27, 2016 is granted. Effective September 27, 2016, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, right foot disability, sleep apnea, headaches, lumbosacral spine disability, wrist disabilities, and erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's statements regarding in-service experiences are considered credible, but further medical examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected cervicogenic headaches, effective December 16, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of death due to the Veteran's service-connected headaches, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for a sleep disorder due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its etiology. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that his PTSD caused or aggravated his migraines. The decision is based on evidence showing a causal link between PTSD and migraines.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate VA examinations that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding her in-service knee injuries and headaches. The claims are now pending for further development.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, traumatic brain injury, and cervical spine disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions and missing service records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his headaches, finding that there were no characteristic prostrating attacks of headache pain. The Veteran's headaches are currently rated as noncompensable.