Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to October 30, 2019 and granted a 50 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for TDIU or DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected headaches was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating prior to December 10, 2018 and a higher 10 percent rating from December 10, 2018 to November 14, 2019. A 30 percent rating was granted as of November 14, 2019.

For the period prior to May 18, 2018, the Veteran's TBI was rated at 40 percent and denied a higher rating.,Since May 18, 2018, the Veteran's TBI has been rated at 70 percent and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's headaches increased rating claim is dismissed as moot due to the assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for his service-connected headaches.,SMC benefits are granted from March 20, 2014, given that the Veteran has a service-connected disability rated as total and additional disabilities independently ratable at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches is remanded due to evidence suggesting a worsening of her condition since the last examination in December 2018. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for PTSD. The appeals to reopen service connection for sinusitis with headaches, allergic rhinitis, and anemia were granted. Service connection was granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and anxiety).

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches were granted service connection, but the hypertension was rated at 10% prior to February 20, 2020, and increased to 50% thereafter. The headaches were initially rated at 10%, but a maximum of 50% rating was granted from September 20, 2020.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for headaches due to head injury, but remanded for further development. The back disability claim is also remanded as new evidence suggests a possible nexus to service.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased evaluations of his TBI, spine disorder, right hip strain (limitation of extension), and right hip strain (impairment of the thigh) are denied as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in these conditions occurred one year prior to June 20, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for restoration of separate service connection award for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine and right ankle/heel disabilities.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the upper extremities is denied due to lack of evidence.,Insomnia, claimed as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine disability, is dismissed as it is considered a symptom of the Veteran's depressive disorder.,The Veteran’s claim for increased rating and separate compensable ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is remanded.,Service connection for migraine headache disorder is remanded due to need for clarification regarding its pre-service existence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right foot disabilities. The effective date for TDIU is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a cervical spine disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations. The Veteran is presumed sound at entry into service, and his current conditions are being evaluated for their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a TBI, to include headaches, is dismissed due to the death of his widow before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claim for chronic left ear infections with ear pressure, to include a vestibular disability due to inconsistencies in opinions and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is the highest possible rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, left foot condition with pain, and right foot condition with pain as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 20, 2013 for service connection of cognitive deficits and headaches secondary to TBI due to lack of evidence showing entitlement arose before that date.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The issue of service connection for headaches and episodes of blacking out is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's now service-connected cervical spine disability.