Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right shoulder, thoracolumbar spine, tailbone, and headaches disabilities due to additional development being necessary. This includes obtaining VA examinations and reviewing private medical records.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a headache disability, hypertension, a disability manifested by swelling of the joints, and nerve damage of the bilateral lower extremities due to new and material evidence. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable, and his PTSD with TBI is rated at 70 percent. The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent rating for headaches and dizziness.,PTSD with TBI does not meet the criteria for a higher than 70 percent rating due to occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran is granted a disability rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches from February 4, 2010 to February 4, 2011. The appeal for TDIU prior to September 22, 2011 is dismissed as moot.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disability and service-connected headaches due to conflicting evidence in the record regarding their etiology.

The Board found that the issue of entitlement to a TDIU was part and parcel of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for headaches. The appeal is remanded due to incomplete documentation, specifically the lack of completed VA Form 21-8904 and outstanding SSA records.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various conditions and a TDIU determination. The VA is instructed to obtain SSA records and readjudicate these matters.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, requiring a new one with more comprehensive testing and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's ocular migraines and her service-connected skin disability or conjunctivitis. The Veteran needs to obtain a VA medical opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his combined disability ratings did not meet the schedular requirements and there was insufficient evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's frontal headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to December 18, 2019 and at 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran is now in receipt of the maximum schedular rating for his service-connected frontal headaches. For bilateral hearing loss, he is granted a non-compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, service connection for a respiratory disability, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disability had its onset during her military service and continues to persist since then, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic idiopathic anhidrosis (CIA) and associated headaches are currently rated at 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent evaluation for the headaches. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death prior to a final decision. The Board did not address the merits of any claims as it had no jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic headache disorder, including migraine and tension headaches. The case is being returned to the AOJ for additional development.

An increased rating of 70 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder and adjustment disorder is granted effective April 1, 2015.,An increased rating of 100 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder and adjustment disorder is granted effective March 13, 2016.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a right knee disability is denied.,A separate initial rating of 10 percent for painful left knee limitation of motion is granted effective April 1, 2015.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective October 1, 2015.

The Veteran's request for an increased rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected migraines are at least as likely as not to cause or permanently worsen her diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression/mental disorder. However, the issues regarding service connection and TDIU remain remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted.

Service connection for headaches is granted. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of cluster headaches and experienced symptoms during service, with continuity of symptomatology post-service.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied. The Veteran's right knee degenerative joint disease was not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and there is no established continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for a right leg disability is denied. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right leg disability, and his subjective symptoms do not meet the criteria for a disability under Saunders v. Wilkie (2018).,Service connection for chest pain is remanded. VA examination opinions are inadequate due to reliance on lack of documentation in service treatment records.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded. VA examination opinions are inadequate due to reliance on lack of documentation in service treatment records.,TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is remanded. The issue cannot be adjudicated until the service connection issues are resolved.