Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current neurological condition, including a seizure disorder and/or headache disorder, is related to his military service. The VA needs to obtain additional medical opinions from an examiner.

The Veteran's entitlement to a 60 percent rating for coronary artery disease (CAD) is granted as of March 12, 2019. The claims for service connection for dizzy spells, GERD, headaches, and hiatal hernia are denied.

For the entire period on appeal, an initial evaluation of 50 percent for a headache disorder is granted.,Prior to May 14, 2016, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left shoulder disability is denied. From May 14, 2016, an evaluation of 20 percent, but no higher, for the same condition is granted.,For the entire period on appeal, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disability is denied. Prior to July 24, 2019, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with the Veteran’s service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is granted.,For the period on appeal prior to July 24, 2019, an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a left knee disability is denied. From July 24, 2019, an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the same condition is remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected migraine headaches and right upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The rating for migraine headaches remains at the maximum 50 percent, but a higher rating is denied. Tinnitus is rated at the maximum 10 percent, with no higher rating available. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating available. An earlier effective date for service connection of migraine headaches and tinnitus is denied. Service connection for traumatic brain injury, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for issues related to effective dates and service connection.,The Board has also remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and TDIU based on migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service records do not show any evidence of gallbladder removal, TBI, pulmonary embolism, chronic headache disorder, or atrial fibrillation during his active service. The claims are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection.,There is no evidence showing a TBI during service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's claim for TBI due to service is denied.,Pulmonary embolism was first diagnosed in 1995, over three decades after separation from active service. Service connection is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection.,Headache disorder and atrial fibrillation were not shown during or within one year post-service. The claims are denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for polymyositis and inflammatory myopathy, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, sinus headaches, DM II, right knee disability, left knee disability, and MDD. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for hemorrhoids and remanded the issues regarding migraine headaches and temporary total disability rating for service-connected hemorrhoids.

The Board dismissed the appeals of entitlement to initial ratings for anxiety disorder, headaches, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) as the appellant withdrew her claims. The effective dates for service connection were set at February 27, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy, neck pain and headaches, and encephalomalacia as these conditions are not shown to be causally related to the Veteran's in-service meningitis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches, prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis had its onset during his active duty service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination as the VA examinations provided were inadequate, particularly regarding the Veteran's reports of in-service symptomatology.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is granted as directly related to service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in her favor.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected shoulder and cervical spine disability. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to inextricability with these grants.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the increased rating for lumbar spine disability and service connection claims for left shoulder, vision problems, sinusitis, muscle spasms, migraine headaches, and ankle sprains. The appeal is dismissed as a result.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The VA is instructed to obtain additional records and provide new, adequate opinions addressing whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the appellant's current psychiatric disability, cirrhosis of the liver, and headaches are related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic headaches due to outstanding SSA records that may be relevant to these claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent. The Board found no basis for a higher rating and denied his claim.,Service connection was not granted for an acquired psychiatric disability, as it was not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service.