Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran had a chronic disease (migraine headaches) shown in service. Service connection was denied for heart disease due to lack of evidence showing an in-service diagnosis or relationship.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical spine and headache disabilities due to outstanding treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for service connection for various conditions, including vertigo, back disability, status-post open reduction internal fixation of right hip and femur fracture, chronic headaches, cerebrovascular accident (CVA), acquired psychiatric disorder, eye disability, and skin disability, all claimed as secondary to falls caused by service-connected right knee and ankle arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, back, and TBI disabilities on a secondary basis. Service connection is also granted for his right hip, left hip, and sinus disabilities, but not for his right eye or kidney disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding all of the remaining issues, including increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches, as well as service connection claims for various disabilities. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and migraine headaches, finding that both conditions had their onset during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left foot arthritis, left foot disorder, headaches, and kidney disorder due to insufficient medical opinions in the record. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and headaches as residuals of a traumatic brain injury, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his in-service exposure to loud noise and head trauma. The decision is based on the presumption of continuity of symptomatology since service separation.

The Board has granted service connection for a traumatic brain injury and post-concussive migraine headaches with vision changes, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service head injuries.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to PTSD and related conditions, effective September 17, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use other than an upper extremity, and he is not service-connected for a severe burn injury or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for eligibility for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation.

The Veteran's service connection requests for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, anxiety disorder, right ear hearing loss, and tension headaches have been granted. The initial rating for right upper extremity radial sensory neuropathy has also been granted at a 30 percent level. Service connection was established for anxiety disorder after the claims were reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's migraines were granted an initial 30 percent rating prior to October 8, 2019 and a 50 percent rating from that date forward. The decision is based on the frequency of incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with contested claims procedures and a possible response from the Veteran. The issue of attorney fees will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches as a residual of a head injury. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed chronic disability of the urinary system and bladder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in previous VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches, which are claimed to be related to chemical exposure during service. The Veteran contends that his headaches started during active duty and have persisted since.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for cervical spine, headaches, left hand, and right hand conditions. The effective dates for increased ratings for neuritis of the lower extremities remain unchanged.

The Veteran's TBI and posttraumatic headaches are remanded due to the need for police reports from his arrest on May 29, 2011.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, prostate cancer, headaches, and gastrointestinal disability. The remand includes obtaining new opinions from VA examiners regarding these claims.