Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's diagnosed unspecified depressive disorder, unspecified anxiety disorder, fibromyalgia, and tension headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and depressive disorder are all found to be related to his active service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the left knee disability, right foot disability, right eye disability, sleep apnea, kidney disability, or skin disability began during service.

The appeal seeking service connection for a right eye condition has been dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as the Veteran's current hearing loss did not begin during or within one year after service and there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for pes planus, migraines, and dizziness due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the legal standards of aggravation and pre-existing conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he retired due to a post-service injury. Therefore, a TDIU rating was denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 30 percent rating from May 20, 2020. The Veteran's migraine headaches were denied increased initial ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for a compensable disability rating for migraine headaches and an initial compensable rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are remanded, as well as the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a back disability. The claims for service connection for right hand injury/pain, left hand injury, headaches, and psychiatric disorder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for TBI and headaches are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory or pulmonary disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for higher initial ratings for posttraumatic headaches, PTSD with alcohol abuse, and TBI. The Board has determined that new evidence was received within a year of the August 2014 rating decision, allowing these issues to remain pending. Additionally, the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is raised due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claim for higher initial ratings. The Board has ordered remand for further examination and review of records.

The Veteran's service-connected ocular headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the symptoms more nearly approximated migraine headaches with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeals regarding these conditions.

The Board has granted the appeals for severance of service connection for acquired obstructive hydrocephalus, status post ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement and headaches, as well as the discontinuance of special monthly compensation at the housebound level. The original decisions were improper due to lack of proper notice and process.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is currently employed and has stated that his inability to work was due to personal reasons rather than his disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his cervical spine disability, headaches, and bilateral callosities due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that his in-service diagnosis of complicated migraines is presumed to have continued since discharge and establishing a link between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and migraine headaches have been granted higher ratings, but the Board has found further development is needed for other issues.,The Veteran's hypertension and right shoulder disability are also being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disability, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities due to Agent Orange exposure. The remand requires additional medical opinions addressing the continuity of symptoms from service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for a headache disorder as aggravated by service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache condition during or related to military service.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disability was granted, but the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating beyond 40 percent from April 12, 2012, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have functional impairment equivalent to ankylosis of the lumbar spine.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied as he is not unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.