Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective November 2, 2016. However, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to that date. The case is remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neurological disability and sleep disorder due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently considered direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine headaches has been granted at a 30 percent level. The Veteran's HSV is not entitled to any compensable rating, and his GAD is rated at the minimum of 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development, specifically regarding a new VA examination and differentiation between service-connected tension headaches and non-service connected migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's headache condition began during service and is related to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, thus granting service connection for the condition.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for post-concussion headaches and temporal vision loss and distortion are inadequate to decide the claims. The Veteran's eye symptoms, including temporary blindness causing incapacitating episodes, need further evaluation by a VA examiner. Additionally, clinical and diagnostic tests referenced in an August 2011 VA eye examination report must be obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current chronic headaches and migraines are not related to her service, and therefore, denied service connection for these conditions. The issues of service connection for bilateral knee disability and back disability have been remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches and joint pain due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability, as the Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf War is unclear. The VA must attempt to verify his service in the Persian Gulf and schedule him for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hypertension, nausea (now claimed as gastroesophageal reflux disease), and muscle tension headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The Veteran's claims are now before the Board again.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once or twice a week, and the Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for this condition.

Service connection for a right elbow disability is dismissed.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for left ankle and right ankle disabilities are remanded.,Service connection for left foot bunions, corns and calluses, right foot bunions, corns and calluses, bilateral foot fungus and peeling, and left and right foot numbness are all remanded.,Service connection for headaches is remanded.,Service connection for Bell's palsy is remanded.,Service connection for a left shoulder disability is remanded.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to January 8, 2021 and increased to 50 percent thereafter.,A higher rating is available for the Veteran's migraine headaches prior to January 8, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied for various conditions, including cardiovascular issues, neuropsychological symptoms, CFS or CFIDS, fibromyalgia, CMV and EBV, hypothyroidism, mycoplasma, headaches, pituitary dysfunction, deficiencies in hormones, hypercoagulation state, respiratory problems, and menstrual disorders. The Board found that none of these conditions were related to service.,The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection due to CFS or CFIDS were also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for tension headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient development and examination.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The right wrist strain claim was not granted a rating in excess of 10 percent, and the tension headaches prior to May 27, 2016 claim was also denied. From May 27, 2016 onwards, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating for his tension headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, OSA, and infectious hepatitis are not related to his active duty service. The claims for these conditions have been remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied service connection for an eye disability, a psychiatric disorder, a cervical spine disability, a left hip disability, and a right hip disability. The Veteran's claim for a headache disability is remanded.,Service connection was not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no medical evidence linking them to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all listed conditions has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's joint pain, gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, and headaches are due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.,The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's ulcerative colitis is related to in-service exposure to environmental hazards or otherwise related to service.,The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's fatigue is due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are related to in-service TBI or otherwise related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right hand wrist strain and left hand wrist strain are related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's disability of the left hand fingers and disability of the right hand fingers are related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service.,The RO combined the rating for residuals of concussion with PTSD. The Board finds that a separate rating for residuals of concussion should be considered in light of the Veteran's reported overuse injury and repetitive motion stemming from his service duties.