Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's hypertension, tension headache disability, and PTSD have been granted service connection. The Veteran's sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and CRPS secondary to trigger finger release are being remanded for further development.,TDIU and SMC issues are also remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the above-mentioned increased rating and service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the claims for TBI and headaches ratings, as well as the TDIU claim, require additional development due to inadequate VA opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for hepatitis B, lumbar spine disorder, headaches, tendonitis of the elbow, and depression due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examinations. The Veteran is requested to provide any additional medical records and an addendum opinion will be obtained.

The Board granted service connection for an anxiety disorder, asthma, and migraine headaches with specific ratings and effective dates. The appellant is entitled to additional attorney fees based on the past-due benefits awarded from November 13, 2018 through January 28, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's hearing loss, bladder condition, sleep apnea, PTSD, and headaches are all being reconsidered.

The Veteran's migraines with tension headaches are found to have started during his service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has found new and relevant evidence for the claims of service connection for TBI, adjustment disorder with depression, and headaches. These claims are being remanded to allow VA to review this new evidence.,No new or relevant evidence was found for the claim of hypertension.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a bullet wound near the spine, migraines (to include as secondary to residuals of a bullet wound), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include posttraumatic stress disorder) due to insufficient evidence showing in-service injury or stressor.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for uterine cancer (cervical condition) is granted.,Service connection for pulmonary vascular disease, migraine headaches, and left leg condition are denied.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent for the entire period prior to August 20, 2019.,For right and left lower extremity radiculopathy claims, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating at any time. The Board also denied her request for an earlier effective date for service connection of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an advisory opinion from an independent medical expert to assess the Veteran's ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss.,For his posttraumatic migraine headaches, the Veteran was denied a compensable rating as his attacks were less frequent and severe than required for a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the claim was received after the August 2008 denial and thus, no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran's tension headaches have not resulted in characteristic prostrating attacks, and thus do not warrant a compensable rating.,Bilateral hearing loss was not shown within one year of separation from service, and the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it is related to service. The Board has remanded this issue for further development.,The Veteran's pulmonary sarcoidosis is not linked to her active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to his participation in Project SHAD, including exposure to bacillus globigii (BG), betapropiolactone (BPL), and zinc cadmium sulfide. The claims include lung disability, kidney cysts, skin disability, cervical spine disability, low back disability, gastrointestinal disability, and headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease of the thoracic and lumbar spines, and migraines. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is rated at 50 percent prior to October 31, 2016 and 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent prior to September 27, 2019.,The Veteran's psychiatric disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent prior to October 31, 2016 or 70 percent thereafter. The Veteran's migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Veteran's nasal disorder and headaches are on appeal. The Board has ordered additional medical examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as whether they are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service and insufficient medical opinion to link current symptoms to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of migraines, left hip replacement, right hip replacement, and back disability due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her migraines as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.