Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for frontal headaches prior to July 26, 2018 is denied. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for left and right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to lack of VA examinations and need for updated treatment records. The Veteran's left knee, eczema, acquired psychiatric disability (depression), low back/tailbone disability, and headache disability are all being reviewed.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches were not characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, thus preventing a higher rating prior to December 5, 2018.,From December 5, 2018, the Veteran’s migraine headache disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, migraine headaches, chronic bilateral wrist sprain, and bilateral ankle sprain are all granted service connection as they are related to his active duty service.,Service connection is established for these conditions due to the presence of undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illnesses.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The left ear hearing loss was rated as noncompensable, posttraumatic headaches with TBI were rated at 10 percent prior to May 31, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter, and the trauma/stressor-related disorder was rated at 70 percent but no higher prior to May 31, 2019. The appeals are denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, as the current evidence is not sufficient to fully inform the Board on the merits of these claims.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, vision loss as secondary to diabetes mellitus, headaches as secondary to diabetes mellitus, a back disability, neck disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and right knee disability. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of onset during qualifying service or any related disease or injury in service.,The Board also denied service connection for these conditions based on secondary service connection to diabetes mellitus, which was previously denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and headaches, but denied service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and bilateral plantar fasciitis with bunions have been granted service connection. The initial rating for the bilateral foot condition has been increased to 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates due to a failure by the RO to issue an SOC addressing these issues. The Veteran is also requested to provide updated medical records and authorize VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete STRs and personnel records, as well as inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical records and clarify certain aspects of his claims. The specific issues are related to erectile dysfunction, headaches and migraines, sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% from April 21, 2015 to July 1, 2016, due to very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. The AOJ is instructed to obtain completed VA Forms 21-8940 and 21-4192 from the Veteran and her former employer, if applicable.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 40 percent for fibromyalgia is denied. The appeals for service connection for deviated septum, hand arthritis, foot arthritis, right knee disorder, rib pain, positive ANA, thyroid disorder, and gum surgery are dismissed. The appeal for a higher initial rating for painful scars, right breast, is also dismissed.

The Veteran's headaches are proximately due to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to May 27, 2011 and from October 1, 2011.