Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's lumbar contusion is granted an initial 20% rating, but the issue of service connection for heat stroke residuals and headaches remains pending due to remand.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, a headache condition, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating of 30 percent for his migraine headaches was denied. The Board granted the Veteran an initial 50 percent disability rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various disabilities, including chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular accident, migraine headaches, male reproductive disability (to include sterility, hypogonadism and erectile dysfunction), thrombocytopenia, and hypertension. These issues are currently remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence showing his service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and evidence of employment status, as well as new examinations to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU since October 2, 2015. The hypertension claim is remanded for updated blood pressure readings.

The Veteran's TBI with depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent since June 9, 2013.,Migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, keratosis (claimed as skin condition), a skin disability, and a neck disability due to exposure to herbicide agents during service in Vietnam.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between his in-service headaches and his current condition.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service. The claims for service connection will be remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for various ratings and service connection decisions, finding that no valid claim was filed prior to March 10, 2021.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed migraine headaches are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has determined that this evidence is in equipoise. Therefore, service connection for migraine headaches is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a headache disability and recurrent sleep disability due to deficiencies in the VA examinations conducted. The Veteran is required to undergo further evaluations by medical doctors.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional evidence, including pre-service mental health treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an initial compensable rating for migraines, prior to October 2, 2013, and to a rating higher than 10 percent, thereafter. The Veteran opted into the AMA review system but the legacy appeal is no longer considered as this decision only pertains to the legacy system.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating due to the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and sinusitis, finding that her disabilities render her unable to maintain gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right foot disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and headache disorder due to insufficient medical evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 50 percent since January 28, 2020. Service connection for left knee arthritis is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and migraine headache disorder, finding that these conditions are proximately due to or aggravated beyond their natural progression by the Veteran's service-connected deviated septum and psychiatric disorders. The remaining issues have been remanded.