Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions as the appellant, through her authorized representative, withdrew her appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a sinus disability, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) secondary to PTSD, and headaches secondary to a sinus disability due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic brain injury with mild memory loss was denied. His initial compensable rating for tension headaches was also denied, but he received a separate non-compensable rating for the same condition effective September 6, 2016. The Veteran's TDIU claim and eligibility for specially adapted housing or home adaptation grants were both denied.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a respiratory disorder, finding that the Veteran's reported conditions did not manifest in service or have an etiological relationship to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, lumbar spine disorder, and left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a kidney disability, residuals of a stroke (sixth nerve palsy), and migraines due to their potential secondary relationship with other service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's mental health condition is no longer at issue as he now has service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches are found to have begun during active service, warranting service connection.,Bilateral pes planus is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its onset and relationship to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's diabetes, migraine headaches, and hypertension claims should be remanded for further development. Specifically, they need to verify the Veteran’s periods of active and inactive duty training with the Texas Army National Guard, obtain his VA treatment records from February 2018 onwards, and conduct examinations to determine the etiology of his diabetes and current severity of his migraine headaches and hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), joint pain, muscle pain, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, left eye condition, unspecified depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and tension headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claims for stomach condition and severe cramps are denied as the evidence does not show a separate and distinct disability from his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development of evidence. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected headaches is dismissed as the highest possible rating of 50 percent has been granted. The issue of service connection for sinusitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for depression was denied. The claim for an increased rating of 50 percent or higher for mixed type headache disorder was granted, effective November 1, 2011 to June 19, 2019. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy was denied. Separate ratings of 10 percent or higher were granted for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy, effective February 23, 2007. A noncompensable rating was granted for erectile dysfunction associated with lumbar spine degenerative disc disease status post L4-5 discectomy, effective February 23, 2007. SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ was granted, effective February 23, 2007.

Effective date of June 11, 2007 for the award of service connection for left knee strain.,Effective date of November 27, 2013 for the award of service connection for migraine headaches.

Obstructive sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury with memory loss and dizziness (TBI residuals), and migraine headaches have been granted service connection effective July 13, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at the highest possible level of 50 percent, based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's hypertension, tinnitus, and headache disorder are granted. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with ratings for TBI, headaches, and tinnitus. The pineal cyst issue is also pending.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes, right shoulder and ankle disabilities, and headaches should be remanded due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded several issues for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing supplemental opinions regarding the etiology of various disabilities. Service connection is denied for residuals of a left forearm injury.