Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's headache disorder is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's mantel cell leukemia is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder) is granted as service-connected on a secondary basis to his service-connected mantel cell leukemia.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective October 15, 2018. The SMC based on housebound status claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability, increased rating for headaches and cervical spine disability are remanded. The initial rating claim for right shoulder tendinopathy/tendinosis remains denied.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, bilateral eye disorder, and residuals of traumatic brain injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and initial rating for tension headaches have been granted. The issue of TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, tension headaches secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD/MDD) due to insufficient development or lack of nexus opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for chloracne, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), left hand arthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), enlarged prostate, headaches, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence that was submitted after a previous SSOC, and no response from the Veteran. The cases will be reconsidered by the RO.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type are found to be service-connected.,Migraine headaches are determined to be secondary to the service-connected schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current headaches and an in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that the Veteran’s headaches are not secondary to his service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as a result.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for tension and posttraumatic headaches was denied.,The Veteran's claims for shell fragment wound scars, including scars on the middle lower back (sacrum), left buttock, left inguinal area, and right posterior thigh, as well as residuals of a shell fragment wound to the middle lower back (sacrum) with injury to muscle group XX, were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The appeal for service connection for headaches has been dismissed. The appeals for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral pes planus have been remanded.

The Veteran requested a personal hearing and informal conference regarding his service connection claims. The Board has not scheduled these hearings, so the case is being remanded to do so.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a TDIU was part and parcel of his underlying claim of entitlement to increased ratings for his shoulder condition. The Board denied the TDIU as it appears that the Veteran was gainfully employed, although there is incomplete information regarding the precise dates of employment and whether such was gainful.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for migraine headaches is granted, with a 50% evaluation. The TBI residuals and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his TDIU award, finding that prior to March 31, 2006, his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and right ankle strain due to inadequate development in previous examinations. The Veteran will need new VA examinations to determine the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar I disorder and cyclothymic disorder) alone supports a total disability rating based on unemployability due to service-connected disability, combined with other disabilities rated at least 60 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases of fibromyalgia, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) for further examination and consideration.