Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected conditions reasonably precluded gainful employment prior to August 2, 2016. An effective date prior to this date for the award of a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches prior to August 4, 2021 was denied.,The Veteran's increased rating for headaches since August 4, 2021 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his acquired psychiatric disability (depression and PTSD), migraine headaches, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and lumbar strain, left hip osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, lateral instability, post-operative patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, and surgical scars of the left knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a failure to obtain relevant private treatment records. Service connection is denied for bilateral eye condition, headaches, and upper respiratory condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current head and back conditions and his military service, specifically periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for anxiety disorder, not otherwise specified, and entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's recurrent headache disability is granted as service connected. The issues of compensable ratings for right foot strain and left foot dorsal and mid talar bony exostosis, and entitlement to a total rating based on individual unemployability prior to May 9, 2019 are remanded.

The Board has dismissed all appeals as the Veteran died during the pendency of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for COPD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The effective date for this grant is January 28, 2016.,Service connection for headaches has been remanded as there is no indication that a formal or informal claim was filed prior to January 28, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for breast cancer and diabetes mellitus, type 2 are remanded due to potential exposure to asbestos during service. Addendum opinions will be obtained regarding the relationship between these conditions and service.,Service connection for a right eye cataract is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,Service connection for a heart disability, hypertension, and neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities are all remanded. Addendum opinions will be obtained regarding these conditions.,Service connection for headaches remains remanded due to insufficient evidence on record.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 is remanded as there is no indication of in-service injury or disease related to this condition.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent for headaches remains remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for tension headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that this rating does not adequately reflect her current symptoms. The case is being remanded for a new examination to assess the severity of her headaches.

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the September 2013 rating decision denying service connection for a headache condition. As such, an effective date of November 17, 2011 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches and a disability rating greater than 20 percent for cervical degenerative joint and disc disease were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show characteristic prostrating attacks of migraine headache pain, nor did it demonstrate ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection. The claim for PTSD is remanded as the VA examination was inadequate.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's migraine headaches, finding that her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, arteriovenous fistula, cerebral aneurysm, migraine headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding service treatment records and incomplete medical history.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for an initial compensable rating for otitis externa was denied, as the evidence did not show frequent and prolonged treatment. The claim for anemia from August 27, 2009 to December 8, 2018 was granted but denied since December 9, 2018. Service connection for myalgia and myositis, sinusitis, vaginitis candida albicans, and migraine headaches were all denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of her service-connected migraines and for additional development related to her TDIU claim.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The claim of service connection for hypertension has been reopened and the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension, which existed prior to service, was aggravated by his active duty service. Service connection for hypertension based on aggravation of a disability that existed prior to service is granted.,The issue of service connection for chronic headaches remains pending as it requires further examination.

The appeals for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and personality disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims.,The appeals for increased ratings of right knee chondromalacia and right hand minimal motor and mild sensory loss have also been dismissed.