Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's skin condition is not related to active service and is attributed to a known clinical diagnosis.,Headaches are less likely caused by an in-service head injury and are not due to exposure event during Southwest Asia service.,Chronic fatigue syndrome is more likely related to other conditions such as sleep apnea, insomnia, and mood disorder rather than chronic fatigue syndrome.,Peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and lower extremities have no current diagnosis or etiology provided by the VA examination.

The Board has found that the Veteran's headaches and vertigo are related to service, granting their claims. However, the acquired psychiatric disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for migraine disability prior to March 16, 2018 was denied. A higher rating of 30 percent was granted as of March 16, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, knee, and hip disabilities are not service-connected as they are less likely than not related to his active duty.,His low back disability is also denied as it did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability (PTSD) is granted as service-connected. The skin, hemorrhoids, and undiagnosed illness claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury are currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board has denied a higher evaluation. The issue of SMC is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and residuals of a head injury, including headaches and TBI. The VA will request an expert opinion to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted service connection. Service connection for tonsillitis and bilateral pes planus is denied.

The Veteran's claim for VR&E services, including additional education to pursue a career as a professor or school counselor, is remanded due to the need for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current symptomatology and service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board has determined that these matters must be remanded to reschedule the examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic migraines and vertigo, both rated at 30 percent from June 17, 2016. Attorney fees in the amount of 20% of past-due benefits awarded are granted.

The Board found that the VA correctly withheld $1,265.12 from the Veteran's disability compensation payments to recoup her separation pay, and denied her claim for a waiver of this overpayment.

The Veteran's right turf toe is related to service and granted service connection.,Secondary service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, lower back condition, neck condition, right ankle condition, tingling and numbness in fingers and toes, and chronic headaches and dizzy spells are denied as there is no current disability during the appeal period.

The Veteran's TBI and migraine headaches have been rated as 10% prior to January 22, 2020 and 30% from that date. The left ear hearing loss has not yet resulted in a compensable rating.,A higher rating for the Veteran's migraines is denied.

The Veteran's headaches, including migraines and migraine variants, are rated at a 10 percent evaluation. The Board found that the Veteran has characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over a period of several months, warranting a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches have been granted service connection, while his vision problems are denied. The Veteran is also awarded a 50% disability rating for his service-connected headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of her lumbar spine disability, as well as her cervical spine and tension headaches. The remand requires a new VA examination to determine whether her neck disability is at least as likely as not due to an in-service disease, event, or injury; or proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected lumbar spine disability. Additionally, the examiner should opine whether her tension headache disability is proximately due to or aggravated by her cervical spine disability and her lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a bilateral foot disorder, to include peripheral neuropathy due to inadequate development of the evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of rickettsial infection, undetermined type, including allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and migraines, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current symptoms and his in-service rickettsial infection.