Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of heat stroke, hypertension, epilepsy, cardiac arrhythmia, lower extremity edema (including spider veins), headaches, and neurological effects have all been denied.,There is no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions that his current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for headaches prior to November 21, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not indicate very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability prior to November 21, 2020 was denied as the evidence did not indicate incapacitating episodes or forward flexion less than 15 degrees.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's current headaches are not related to his service-connected low back disability and instead likely due to a right temporal lobe glioma.

The Veteran's headaches have impacted her ability to work, and the Board has referred the issue of TDIU to the VA Director for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need of aid and attendance. The Veteran needs assistance with various daily activities, including bathing and meal preparation, due to her service-connected lumbar spine disability and other conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings for various disabilities require additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 50 percent for his posttraumatic headache disability, effective from the entire appeal period. The initial compensable rating for TBI remains denied.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 30 percent rating since November 3, 2020. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from Moody Air Force Base.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a new medical opinion and consideration of entitlement to TDIU prior to March 13, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, acne with residual scarring, sleep apnea, tension headaches, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left knee degenerative joint disease, right shoulder tendinitis, lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis, chronic right ankle strain, bilateral pes planus, right great toe injury, hypertension, left and right knee instability, and traumatic brain injury, have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since June 11, 2012.

The Veteran's initial rating for residuals of thoracic sprain and cervical sprain remains denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula.,For migraine headaches, an initial rating of 50% has been granted but no higher.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to his service-connected neck disability. The case is being returned for additional development and an addendum medical opinion.

The Board has decided that service connection is granted for a headache disability and a bilateral hip disability. However, the right knee issue was remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, hearing loss, and vertigo. The combined effect of these conditions renders him unable to obtain and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were not manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks prior to June 17, 2019. As such, a compensable rating for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's acne was at worst superficial and did not cover an area of at least 144 square inches or involve underlying soft tissue damage. Therefore, a compensable disability rating for the acne is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches, which are currently considered service-connected under a direct theory.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, but his right ankle disability does not warrant an extraschedular rating. The claims for sleep apnea and entitlement to an extraschedular TDIU are remanded.