Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, neck, and headache disabilities as secondary to his service-connected disabilities due to insufficient opinions from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, including muscle and joint aches, pain, fatigue, and excessive nocturnal sweating, is granted as service connected due to exposure in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The claim for headaches, neurological symptoms, and dexterity difficulty associated with shaking remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED), tinnitus, headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) effective June 9, 2018. Effective dates prior to this date are denied.

The Veteran's TBI with headaches is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his symptoms. The claim for a higher disability rating has been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches and sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current headache disability is not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology is not established.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and headaches has been denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the claims, particularly regarding the presence of TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a respiratory condition and a headache disability due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's headaches are now rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The kidney stones continue to be rated at 10 percent and not in need of a higher rating. TDIU remains denied.

The Board has denied a higher rating for right knee degenerative joint disease and remanded the claim for migraine headaches due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headaches was granted, with a 30 percent rating effective from the date of the decision (January 12, 2021). Prior to December 30, 2019, he had characteristic prostrating attacks occurring more frequently than once a month.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability was denied. His service-connected migraines were granted.

The Veteran's headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board found no credible evidence of a nexus between his current headaches and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for thoracic spine DDD, cervical spine DDD, and headaches due to inadequate VA examination reports. Further development is needed to comply with VA's duty to assist in fully developing the facts and evidence concerning these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Headaches, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his service and/or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for vertigo and migraines have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has determined that there was inadequate compliance with the prior remand instructions and thus the case must be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI, depressive disorder, headaches, and tinnitus. Other service connection claims are either denied or remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and a need for further development, including scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability causing visual impairment is also remanded.