Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis was denied. For migraine headaches, a rating of 30 percent prior to April 17, 2018, and a TDIU from April 17, 2018 were granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shin splints, chronic epididymitis, and migraine headaches.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as there is no credible evidence linking them to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further examination.

The Board granted the Veteran's request to reenter the VA vocational rehabilitation and employment program due to worsening of her service-connected disabilities, particularly her depressive disorder and migraines, which made it impossible for her to continue working as a crime scene agent.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches, to include migraines, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's service or his service-connected TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete information regarding her periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as concerns about the adequacy of VA examinations. The issues include hypertension, sinus condition, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as acid reflux), hysterectomy and related conditions, skin condition, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the April 2014 rating decision. The effective date of his allergic rhinitis service connection is set at November 18, 2016.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to October 24, 2018 was denied as there were no objective indications of nasal obstruction or polyps. A 30 percent rating effective from October 24, 2018 is granted based on the development of nasal polyps.,Service connection for a bone and joint condition due to undiagnosed illness is not established, while service connection for bilateral hip condition, respiratory condition, hearing loss, GERD, and headaches are all determined by direct evidence.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including gout, low back disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right ankle sprain, lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy, gastrointestinal pain associated with Gulf War undiagnosed illness, and headaches associated with Gulf War undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy has been granted a 20 percent rating. The cases of subcutaneous cyst of the lower back and tension headaches have been remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's service connection for TBI residuals, including headaches, is being reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been granted. The claims for hypertension, prostate cancer, headaches, and other conditions have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address issues related to service connection, disability ratings, and medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and skin condition do not render him unemployable as his combined rating is at least 60%.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left ear hearing loss does not warrant a compensable evaluation, and remanded the issue of service connection for chronic migraines. The case is now being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's headaches with nausea are found to be proximately due to his service-connected multi-level lumbar degenerative spine disease, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's initial 30 percent rating for migraine headaches has been increased to a maximum of 50 percent, but only subject to the rules and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. The Board also remanded her claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for service connection for migraines is granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for migraines. From August 4, 2014 onward, the Veteran is also entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s). The claim for an increased rating for coronary artery disease is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Headaches, as well as the TDIU claim, are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension and headaches due to inadequate rationale in the VA examination opinions. The Veteran's service treatment records are negative for any indication of hypertension or headaches, but his March 1971 separation examination noted frequent or severe headaches and shortness of breath. Post-service treatment records reflect complaints of headaches beginning in September 1993 and elevated blood pressure in March 1996.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tension headaches, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy of various extremities due to inadequate rationales in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of her tension headaches, etiology of her diabetes mellitus, and nature and etiology of any diagnosed peripheral neuropathies.