Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for chronic headaches and diabetes mellitus due to unresolved issues. Service connection was denied as there is no direct evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to inadequate medical examinations and because service connection is available on a presumptive basis based on exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervicogenic headaches, depression and/or anxiety, cervical spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and sixth thoracic vertebrae associated with status post cervical fusion, likely preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's headaches and hypertension are granted with a 30% rating, effective from the date of the May 2016 VA examination. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to service-connected cervical spine DDD, and headaches.,Service connection is also granted for a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, gout, a left shoulder disorder, a left foot disability (secondary to a service-connected condition), headaches, and a psychiatric disability claimed as PTSD. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant records and provide a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's psychiatric disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and/or housebound status due to lack of evidence showing she was in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently bedridden due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issues of initial compensable ratings for PTSD/TBI and migraine headaches. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted as service connection due to in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service connection due to in-service exposure and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current migraine headaches are at least as likely as not related to her military service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a headache disorder and TDIU due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's headaches are related to his service at Camp Lejeune. The case is sent back for further examination.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for migraine headaches and left shoulder conditions. The appeal is also remanded for consideration of additional evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development due to the submission of additional evidence not previously reviewed by the AOJ. The Veteran's increased rating claim for left knee disability, service connection claims for eye disability, joint pain, neck disability, headaches, and prostate cancer are all being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted on the basis of new and relevant evidence.,New evidence has been submitted to support the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's shin splints and headaches have been granted compensable ratings of 10 percent each, effective November 2015.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is found to have had its onset in service. The Board grants the claim for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for acute intermittent tension headaches has been dismissed. The claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him helpless enough to require such assistance.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraines was denied due to failure to report for the scheduled examination.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's tension headaches are manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, meeting the criteria for a 50 percent rating.