Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board denied service connection for right tibial and fibular fractures, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence showing a permanent increase in disability during the period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) from June 1963 to December 1963. The appellant's exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune was not considered as there is no presumption applicable.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if any of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service, including his in-service fall and exposure to gunfire.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar spine disability was reopened, and granted. The claims for sleep disability, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches were denied.,A 10% rating is assigned for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is dismissed as moot. The remaining issues of entitlement to initial compensable disability ratings for photophobia and post-traumatic headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of evidence.,Specifically, additional medical opinions are required regarding the etiology of various conditions including cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbar spinal degenerative disc disease, right shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, fibromyalgia (Gulf War Illness), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) (Gulf War Illness), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (Gulf War Illness), and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted due to very frequent and prolonged prostrating attacks.,For his right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating. The examination revealed limited range of motion with dorsiflexion being less than 15 degrees.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD, and the Board dismissed these claims.

The Veteran's initial requests for higher ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, sinusitis, and psychiatric disability have been denied.,For the period prior to May 27, 2021, the Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30% effective from September 16, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches and left shoulder disability are granted with increased evaluations of 50 percent each.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various service connection claims, including for bilateral hearing loss, left arm condition, lumbar strain, left knee condition, left ankle condition, plantar fasciitis, anxiety condition, migraine headaches, jaw condition, lung condition, bronchitis, pneumonia, cervical strain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, kidney stones, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right ankle condition. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's hypertension and migraine headaches were denied as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remands. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned to VA for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and aseptic meningitis with headaches rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 9, 2015. The Board granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected disabilities required care and assistance on a regular basis to dress herself, prepare meals, keep herself clean and presentable, attend to the wants of nature, and protect her from the hazards or dangers inherent in her daily environment. As such, she is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to secure opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's headache condition and acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically whether they are related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for anemia, migraine headaches, and bilateral immersion foot due to new and material evidence. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the cause and aggravation of the Veteran's migraine headaches by her service-connected psychiatric disorders. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the appeal for further development and to obtain addendum opinions from a VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral foot disorder, and bilateral ankle disorders. The issues of entitlement to SMC for aid and attendance and at the housebound rate prior to July 18, 2014 and after September 1, 2015 are also inextricably intertwined with these remanded issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the February 2019 VA examination.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of hidradenitis suppurativa, headache disorder, and carcinoma of primary cutaneous origin (claimed as breast cancer) due to the death of the appellant.