Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service connection claim for a headache disorder is granted. The claims for skin disorder, menstrual disorder, and polyarthritis palindromic rheumatism are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic headaches, a periodontal disorder, and a TBI. Additional evidence is needed to verify alleged stressors, obtain VA treatment records, and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded the claim for a headache disorder, as it is unclear whether the Veteran's current condition is related to service or if it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent from March 29, 2008 to November 29, 2015 and at 50 percent on and after November 30, 2015.,Special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, right elbow osteoarthritis, tension headaches, and traumatic brain injury are not supported by the evidence. The claims have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left ankle tendonitis with gouty arthritis, migraine headaches, coronary artery disease with valvular heart disease, hypertensive heart disease, and hypertension were all denied.,No new evidence or changes in service connection theory were presented.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, migraine headaches, depressive disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and arm, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and arm, prevent her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's sleep apnea was not present during service or for many years thereafter and is not otherwise related to service. The Veteran's headaches are also remanded for further examination and opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service from August 7, 1984 to June 8, 1987.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, and headaches due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The Veteran is advised that she needs to provide an estimated time or year when she can attend a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and a neck disorder, but has remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a rating of 30 percent for the period prior to July 7, 2010 and an extraschedular rating in excess of 50 percent thereafter. TDIU is also granted on an extraschedular basis from November 16, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for major depressive disorder has been granted, effective January 25, 2008.,New evidence received since the final November 2014 rating decision has reopened the claims of service connection for migraine headaches and gastrointestinal problems (including constipation), both to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's pain medications related to his service-connected neck and/or back disabilities have aggravated his migraines. The issue of service connection for bilateral sciatica was previously granted.

The Board denied service connection for cervical osteoarthritis with stenosis, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, and headaches.,There was no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches. The Veteran's cervical spine symptoms were not chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation, and have not been continuous since service, nor are they otherwise etiologically related to service.,The Veteran's current headaches are not etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increase in his PTSD rating is denied, and he is granted a TDIU effective March 14, 2017. His PTSD symptoms are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, headache disability, and kidney condition. The evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether these conditions began during or are otherwise related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted service connection. An increased rating of 50 percent for chronic headache disorder is granted effective January 31, 2018. The Veteran's discoid lupus erythematosis and scarring alopecia are each granted an increased rating since specific dates. TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder and denied entitlement to Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 27, 2017.