Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of June 6, 2017 for service connection of migraine headaches as secondary to PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder and other substance use disorder and decreased memory due to stroke and PTSD. The Veteran did not file a formal or informal claim prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of hypothermia is denied as there are no credible in-service incidents or current symptoms related to service.,The Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression), TBI residuals, migraine headaches, left shin disorder, and right shin disorder are remanded due to the need for further medical evaluation and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's unspecified headaches have not been manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks averaging once every two months, and thus an initial compensable rating is denied.,Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo as a residual of TBI has been manifested by occasional dizziness since January 15, 2016, and a separate 10 percent disability rating is granted effective from that date.,The residuals of TBI, to include insomnia, have not been manifested by inappropriate social interactions most or all of the time, but are in equipoise as to whether they were frequently inappropriate social interactions. An initial 40 percent disability rating for these residuals is granted effective from January 15, 2016, to October 12, 2020.,The Veteran's insomnia has not been manifested by inappropriate social interactions most or all of the time, but are in equipoise as to whether they were frequently inappropriate social interactions. An initial 40 percent disability rating for these residuals is granted effective from January 15, 2016, to October 12, 2020.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection, as well as rating assignment.

The Board has found insufficient evidence to decide the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, and has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion from a VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment, but not total impairment. The Veteran's migraine headaches are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking them to his service or a service-connected condition. Service connection for BPH is remanded as the examiner did not address the in-service prostatitis.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for stomach disorder and tension/migraine headaches due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to the service-connected anxiety disorder. The lumbar spine and right hip disorders are denied due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptoms. Service connection for chronic hepatitis C is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective November 24, 2009 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's current type II diabetes mellitus and tension headaches are found to be proximately due or the result of his service-connected MDD with an adjustment disorder, with obesity serving as an intermediate step between the two disabilities.,The Veteran's obesity is not a qualifying disability for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI with headaches and dizziness, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess current severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an eye condition, to include as secondary to diabetes mellitus, and for a cervical spine condition are remanded. The issue of service connection for migraine headaches (secondary to the cervical spine condition) is also remanded.,Service connection for migraine headaches will be held in abeyance pending resolution of the other issues.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete development and inadequate medical opinions. The issues include PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, lumbar spine disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder with anxiety features is rated at 70 percent from January 24, 2019. Migraines are rated at 50 percent prior to January 24, 2019 and 70 percent from that date onwards.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA is instructed to obtain new medical opinions addressing the etiology of his disabilities, including whether they are related to service-connected PTSD or other conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. Additional development is needed, including an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran's epilepsy is related to Gulf War exposures.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, was granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea and headache disorder were also granted as secondary to the now service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea (OSA) and remanded the issue of service connection for headaches due to a challenge by the Veteran's attorney regarding the competency of the VA examiner who provided an opinion on the headaches.