Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her acquired psychiatric disorder and physical conditions such as headaches, foot disorders, knee disorders, and ear drum disorder, rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with her education and work history as of July 12, 1996. As a result, the Board granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for seizure disorder and migraine headaches, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis from April 4, 2001 until March 20, 2013 due to his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for headaches is granted due to aggravation by service-connected cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).,Service connection for IBS is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.

The Veteran's claim for a headache disorder was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic headache disability.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for depressive disorder with anxiety and anxiety is set at September 12, 2013, which is when the Veteran filed an informal claim.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for dermatitis is set at October 7, 2013, based on a telephone call from the Veteran to VA requesting service connection for his skin rash and other disabilities.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for a scar due to back surgery is set at July 8, 2014, which is when the Veteran underwent the surgery resulting in the scar.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for his service-connected dermatitis was denied as it does not meet the criteria for such a rating under the applicable VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for headaches, head condition, jaw condition, and residuals of a neck injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Reserve service treatment records and private medical records.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and a headache disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tension headaches, bilateral foot disability, and back disability due to issues with compliance with previous orders and the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective October 29, 2020. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise as to whether the Veteran experiences very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks of migraines productive of severe economic inadaptability during the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's low back condition and migraine disabilities have been rated at 40 percent since January 12, 2018. A TDIU rating has also been granted for the period from September 23, 2011 to January 11, 2018 on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, and a headache disorder due to potential confusion in the evaluation of stressors and lack of nexus opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability, headaches, jaw disorder, dental disorder, and TBI have all been denied. The evidence does not support the presence of current disabilities or link them to service.,There is no credible evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), loss of concentration, fear of knives, and loss of memory. The remand requires obtaining additional medical records, attempting to corroborate in-service stressors, scheduling VA examinations, and further development as needed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals.,Service connection has been granted for residuals of left arm burn scar.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development and evaluation.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for tension headaches, but the cases of right knee disability and sleep apnea are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability. The claims for OSA, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a chronic migraine headache are remanded due to insufficient opinions in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 30% rating as of April 13, 2016. The right elbow, left knee, right ankle, left wrist, and right wrist conditions are remanded for further evaluation.