Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including migraines, finding that there was no causal relationship between his current headache disorder and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected cluster headaches was granted, with an effective date of September 11, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic migraines are now rated at 50 percent, effective March 31, 2016. The issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to March 31, 2016 is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and retrospective medical opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, which prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's fatigue and night sweats disabilities. The claims of service connection for tension headaches, fatigue, and night sweats are currently pending.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and panic disorder are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board denied increased ratings for both conditions as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on their current symptoms.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased evaluation of his psychiatric disability was denied. A separate evaluation for posttraumatic tension headaches was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 30 percent for service-connected migraine headaches prior to August 16, 2018 was granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for this condition from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastrointestinal cancer and headache disorder due to insufficient evidence. The claim for service connection for gastrointestinal cancer on a direct basis is denied, while the claims for secondary service connection and headaches are being reviewed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, chronic fatigue, and headaches due to Gulf War Syndrome are granted.,The Board found that the Veteran has objective indications of these conditions as qualifying chronic disabilities due to undiagnosed illness or MUCMI.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left ankle disorders, knee disorders, flatfeet, hypertension, headaches, sleep apnea, and diabetes mellitus. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and depressive disorder), sleep apnea, and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding his claimed left ankle disorder, right hand disorder, right leg disorder, groin disorder, and traumatic brain injury. The Veteran has not been provided with a VA examination or opinion related to these issues.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent for the period prior to June 13, 2018. For the period from June 13, 2018 onwards, an evaluation in excess of 50 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to August 7, 2019 was granted with a 50 percent disability rating. The appeal for a higher rating from August 7, 2019 and the TDIU claim were both denied.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, right ankle disability, and headache disability. The claims of service connection for chronic cough and acid reflux are remanded.,Service connection is not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions as they do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches was granted at 10 percent, and the Board has now remanded the case to consider if a higher rating is warranted based on additional evidence.

The Veteran's left breast scar is not considered disabling and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran’s right ovarian cyst does not require continuous treatment and does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran’s migraines do not have characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months, thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,The Veteran's acne on her face, chest, and back is superficial and does not cover an area of 144 square inches or greater, thus not meeting the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's residuals of TBI are rated at 40 percent, effective December 9, 2009. The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for his TBI and granted an initial 70 percent rating for mild neurocognitive disorder from December 9, 2009.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left hip lesion, headache disability (claimed as migraines), and buttocks disability due to insufficient evidence. The rating for left hip bursitis remains denied.