Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for headaches, a right knee condition, a left knee condition, and a lower back condition. The Veteran did not have current disabilities related to these conditions.,The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the Veteran's current conditions.

The Board granted a 10% rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches effective December 19, 2013.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the nature and cause of her left nostril disability, as well as the current severity of her service-connected migraine-related vestibulopathy, atypical neuralgia, and left eye corneal involvement. The issues of entitlement to a higher rating and an earlier effective date are also remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that while his service-connected PTSD and cervical arthritis conditions may aggravate his headaches, they do not rise to a level of severity sufficient to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for headaches associated with maxillary sinusitis was denied prior to September 29, 2016. The Veteran is now granted a 30 percent rating for this condition prior to that date.,Effective from September 29, 2016, the Veteran's claim for a higher rating has been granted and she is now entitled to a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeals of increased ratings and service connection claims have been dismissed. Effective dates for awards of service connection are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraines, left knee degenerative joint disease and tendonitis/tendinosis, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, and bilateral leg disability (knees, left hip) have been granted service connection. The Veteran's arm condition/tingling is not considered a separate issue as it is related to the left shoulder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to lack of evidence showing that his TBI began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury. The claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches and right fifth toe fracture, as well as the TDIU claim, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot condition (toe condition), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, left leg laceration, LUE peripheral neuropathy, and DMII have been denied.,No new evidence has been provided to support the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased disability rating for residuals of a head injury with muscle tension headaches and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the severity of his headaches, and because the TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim.

The Veteran is granted an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches prior to September 21, 2019. The Board finds that the Veteran's severe and prostrating migraines meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee disability, tension headaches, and right hip disorder were not granted higher ratings or service connected. The gynecological and genitourinary disorders were also not granted service connection.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, and left knee and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable, which may affect the outcome of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, sleep apnea related to depressive disorder, and headaches related to depressive disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for tension headaches prior to September 4, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for basal cell carcinoma is remanded.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder prior to February 6, 2020 is granted. A higher rating of 100 percent is denied as the evidence does not show total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a headache condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic migraine headaches was denied, and his claim for service connection for eye condition is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantial and gainful employment due to his head injury, headaches, skin condition, and adjustment disorder. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the severity of these conditions.