Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities, should be remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for TBI, PTSD, and tension headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and reopening of service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the claims for coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches due to potential errors in the duty to assist. The cervical spine disability claim remains denied.

A higher rating of 10 percent for limited left hip extension is granted.,A higher rating of 20 percent for limited left hip flexion and abduction is granted.,A higher rating of 20 percent for limited right hip extension, flexion, and abduction is granted.,A higher rating of 50 percent for migraines is granted.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of right knee disability, service connection for headache disorder, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board requests that VA medical professionals provide updated opinions on the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness including vertigo and migraines as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service connection of TBI, posttraumatic headaches as secondary to TBI, PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for back condition and hypertension are remanded due to procedural errors.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right cerebellar stroke is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's headaches, migraine and tension are granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and need for further examination. The issues include lumbar spine disorder, bilateral leg disorders, and headaches.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and a TDIU rating prior to December 10, 2012, finding that the evidence did not show an increase in severity levels of these conditions within one year before the claim was received.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating based on PTSD is moot due to the assignment of a 100% schedular rating. The claims for TDIU and SMC are remanded as further development is needed.

The appeal to reconsider the claims of service connection for tendonitis of the right hip, bilateral ankles, right wrist, and thumbs is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for headaches is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for chest pain (claimed as chest pain and hypertension) is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for frequent urination (claimed as an enlarged prostate) is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's current headache disability started during active military service. The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability. For the respiratory and dizziness with blackouts issues, the case is remanded as there are outstanding records from SSA and further medical examinations are needed to determine the relationship between the disabilities and service. For hypertension, an examination is also required.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection, while his left and right shoulder disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including alcohol abuse disorder, major depressive disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is denied. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective November 25, 2008. The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with degenerative disk disease is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for this issue. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety is granted.

The Veteran's MDD, headaches, and IVDS are all granted service connection. The left leg disorder is dismissed.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, joint pain disability, headaches disability, and memory loss disability. The cases are now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between his acquired psychiatric disorder and in-service events, as well as the need for additional medical opinions on the secondary claim.