Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, as it is related to his already service-connected IBS. The decision will be reconsidered with additional medical opinions and development of records.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for low back disability, headaches (including as secondary to service-connected disability), and residuals of right ureteral lithotomy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against a higher rating for tinnitus, left upper extremity radicular neuropathy, vascular headaches, epididymitis and testicle cyst condition, external hemorrhoids, and left arm scars. Service connection was granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for headaches was granted with an effective date of August 29, 2013.,For pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), the Veteran received a non-compensable rating prior to February 24, 2016. From that date onwards, he is not entitled to any higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, low back, shoulder, and left calf disabilities have been denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,His claim for migraine headaches has also been denied due to a lack of credible evidence showing that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's PTSD and CFS are currently rated at 70% and 20%, respectively. The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran’s headache disability, right foot malleolus fracture, and bilateral eye disability have been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for TBI and headaches due to incomplete compliance with prior remand directives. The issues are also inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU for the period prior to July 29, 2019.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right and left ankle disorders, lumbar spine disorder, sciatica, knee disorders, and headache disorder (migraines) due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is asked to provide information about any relevant VA or private treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have resulted in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% initial rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected migraine headaches, finding that they are not productive of characteristic prostrating attacks with a frequency of at least one every two months. The highest facet score was 1, resulting in a 10% disability rating for TBI residuals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and readjudication due to incomplete service personnel records, SSA disability benefit records, and private medical records. The Veteran will be offered an additional hearing with a Decision Review Officer.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 30 percent rating effective August 26, 2015.,From October 23, 2019, the Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for his headaches.

The Veteran's nervous tics were found to be related to his service in the Southwest Asia theatre, and service connection for this condition is granted. The other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has determined that a clarifying medical opinion is necessary regarding the etiology of the Veteran's seizure and headache disorders, as well as their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being required, including a new VA examination and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches. The issues include determining service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and sinusitis.

The Veteran's headaches, diagnosed as tension headaches, are granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including increased ratings for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss, service connection for psychiatric disorders, sleep apnea, and heart conditions. Additional development is needed to obtain outstanding records and conduct examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, but the case is remanded for a new opinion on whether headaches are related to service-connected major depressive disorder or hypertension.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for chronic posttraumatic migraine headaches associated with cervical strain is granted, while the claims for increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease are denied.