Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's internal derangement of the left knee is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. A separate rating of 10 percent for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage has been granted. The Veteran's osteoarthrosis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine are each rated at 30 percent. Migraine headaches do not warrant a higher rating. TDIU was granted from February 18, 2016 to May 2, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tension headaches, fibromyalgia, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) have been granted. The effective dates are not specified in this decision.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date prior to January 17, 2018 for the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including high cholesterol, gout, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, a sleep disability, a heart disability, urinary incontinence, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and anxiety), headaches, a prostate disability, a thyroid disability, and hypertension. The Board found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tension headaches, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability were denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a skin disability was denied due to lack of at least 5 percent of body or exposed areas affected.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, hypertension, headaches, and bilateral leg disabilities as the evidence did not establish an in-service injury or disease, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus to military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of diagnosis during the appeal period.

The Veteran's right knee meniscus condition is granted a 20% rating. Service connection for his chronic headache disability is granted, but service connection for left knee disorder and cervical spine disorder are denied.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and denied her claim for TDIU due to the impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for Epstein-Barr syndrome, eosinophilic esophagitis, migraines/headaches, lumbar spine disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, and eosinophilia due to insufficient evidence of current severity and manifestations. The Veteran is also requested to undergo a VA examination to assess his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches and insomnia, were granted. The claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied. The other claims were either not addressed or denied.

The Board denied service connection for gastric ulcer, memory loss, and insomnia. The Veteran's gastric ulcer resolved without residuals, and his memory loss and insomnia are attributed to other conditions or nonservice-connected factors.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral upper extremity disorder, and proteinuria. The claim of service connection for a kidney disorder was reopened based on new evidence. Service connection for headaches and hypertension is granted, but the Veteran's hepatitis C rating remains at 10%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right wrist disorders, as well as her claim for migraine headaches due to or aggravated by PTSD. The CFS claim is also remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions due to lack of evidence linking them to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including headaches, and entitlement to total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.

The Veteran's headaches alone rendered him unemployable from March 9, 1994 to September 20, 2012. As he also had additional service-connected disabilities that when combined were independently ratable at 60 percent or more, the criteria for entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) were met from March 9, 1994 to September 20, 2012.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities are currently rated at 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran’s headaches have been evaluated as migraine variants with over-the-counter Aleve use. She has reported worsening frequency of attacks.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (low back strain) has been reopened and is being remanded due to the presence of new evidence.,Service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no clinical diagnosis found in the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete record development and failure to substantially comply with prior remand directives.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder strain, cervical spine degenerative disease, and headaches. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions are not related to her military service.,There is no evidence of a link between the Veteran’s current conditions and her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding her service-connected migraines, psychiatric disability (anxiety, depression), and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and rectal bleeding (claimed as hemorrhoids) are granted. The case is remanded for further development regarding the left knee disability, sleep apnea, and respiratory disabilities.