Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition and migraine headaches due to inadequate previous VA examinations. The cases are now returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating, the highest schedular rating.,The claim for service connection of a right wrist disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted.,Service connection for hemorrhoids secondary to IBS is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss and service connection for migraine headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals before the Board.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the development sought as part of a previous remand. The claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are being remanded due to deficiencies in the July 2021 VA examination, and because the issues are intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and other specified depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Specifically, a VA examiner is needed to address whether the current headache syndrome began during military service or is otherwise related to that service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's dental trauma claim is denied as new and material evidence was not received. Hypertension, bilateral wrist disorder, right thumb contusion, allergic rhinitis, and headaches are all remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee meniscal tear have been rated, but the Board has not determined if additional service connection is warranted for neck, shoulder, or sinus conditions.,The Veteran's knees require further examination to determine their current functional limitations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue and migraine headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of a primary disorder, such as CFS or migraines, separate from his service-connected conditions.,Claims for bilateral eye disorders, dizziness, and skin disorders are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to address whether the Veteran's bilateral hammer toe deformity and migraine headaches are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is being reconsidered due to new evidence. The TBI rating remains at 10 percent, and the nasal fracture and lumbar spine disability ratings are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and chronic headache disability are granted as service-connected due to in-service herbicide exposure.,Bladder cancer is denied as there is no evidence of the condition during or within one year after separation from active service. Peripheral neuropathy is also denied based on lack of evidence of onset during service or within a year post-separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and tension headaches (migraines), have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for depression has been denied due to lack of evidence showing the disability was caused by VA care.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for indigestion acid reflux, secondary to headaches, has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches remains pending and requires further examination to determine if they are related to service or due to another service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, secondary to headaches, has been denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to a service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain and cervical strain, both secondary to his right ankle disability, remain pending and require further examination to determine if they are related to service or due to another service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, secondary to his right ankle disability, remains pending and requires further examination to determine if it is related to service or due to another service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been assigned the maximum schedular rating available for that disability, effective from November 30, 2015.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for cervical spine strain, sleep apnea, residuals of head injury with post traumatic headaches, right shoulder condition, back condition (lumbar degenerative disc disease), left knee degenerative joint disease, and dyspepsia or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service-connected due to aggravation by her service-connected autonomic dysfunction with hyperadrenergic POTS. The Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is also found to be aggravated by the service-connected POTS, but the Board finds that further development of the claims for bilateral knee disability, all-joint degenerative condition, muscle degenerative condition, fibromyalgia, and eating disorder are required.

The Veteran's low back strain is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted on the basis that it was initially manifested during active service and aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. Headaches are also granted on this basis.

The Board has denied service connection for an age-related cataract and diabetes mellitus, but granted effective dates prior to the Veteran's discharge. The claim for residuals of inner ear infection is remanded due to lack of a VA examination. The claim for PTSD is also remanded as the VA examiner did not address all relevant in-service symptoms.