Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and TDIU due to issues with compliance with prior remand instructions and arguments regarding VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's headaches, including migraines, are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for cervical spine and radiculopathy disabilities, as well as headaches due to lack of recent VA examinations. The Veteran is also being provided an opportunity for a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, excluding her persistent depressive disorder, rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of March 17, 2015. The Board granted the TDIU based on her migraine headaches and neck condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records from his active duty and post-service VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, chronic headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD to include as secondary to a service-connected disability due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraines and hepatitis C due to potential aggravation by a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral foot disability and testicular disability.

The Veteran's claim for migraine headaches is granted, while his claims for residuals of an in-service head injury other than migraine headaches are denied. The decision is mixed as it grants service connection for migraine headaches but denies the others.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin condition, heart condition, seizure disorder, and headache condition due to inadequate development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and respiratory disorder were denied as they are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service TBI and related symptoms. The cases are also remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records from Dr. H., associating outside treatment records with the claims file, and scheduling a VA examination for sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to July 12, 2017 was denied. The claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches since July 12, 2017 was also denied. The Veteran is granted TDIU effective March 10, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for ocular migraines. The remaining issues of right leg, left leg, cervical spine (neck pain), and right shoulder conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's speech disability is remanded due to its potential connection to a stroke. The ratings for her shoulder disabilities, radiculopathy, and hernia are also remanded as the evidence suggests worsening symptoms. Her TDIU claim is remanded as it involves employment issues.

The Veteran's tension headaches have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,For the period prior to August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not productive of incapacitating episodes due to intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,From August 7, 2020, the Veteran's cervical spine disability has not been productive of forward flexion limited to 15 degrees or less, ankylosis, incapacitating episodes as defined by VA regulation, or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for major depressive disorder, endometriosis, and migraine headaches, as well as her claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability. The reasons are that there may be outstanding Social Security Administration records not yet associated with her file, and she needs to provide more details about her employment in 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory condition, migraine headaches, and osteoarthritis of cervical spine.,There is no evidence to support a nexus between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and missing treatment records from Dr. Christenson.

The Veteran's service connection claim for unspecified trauma-and stressor-related disorder is granted.,Service connection claims for other knee, back, nerve, and skin conditions are remanded.