Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder are rated at 50% each prior to November 15, 2018. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for both conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for a higher rating for limitation of motion of the left long finger due to insufficient evidence or further development is needed.

The Board has decided to reopen the claims for service connection for migraines and GERD, but has remanded both issues due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 30, 2015 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's memory loss and its relation to service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for memory loss, which he claims is related to a head injury during service.

An initial 30 percent rating for migraine headaches from July 27, 2012 to March 9, 2017 is granted.,A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches from March 10, 2017 and continuing thereafter is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the VA needs to assess the collective impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's right foot disability is not rated higher than 10 percent, and his headaches are only rated at 30 percent from January 24, 2014 to June 6, 2016.,TDIU was denied as the Veteran could still maintain substantially gainful employment despite his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 19, 2013 for the award of service connection for tinnitus is denied as there was no prior unadjudicated claim. The Veteran is already in receipt of the earliest possible effective date allowed under law.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected migraines.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to withdraw his appeals for service connection of various disabilities, including skin condition, bilateral ankles, bilateral knees, neck, left ear hearing loss, low back pain, and psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and a personality disorder). The claims for head injury with residual headaches have been remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 100% to 70%, effective July 1, 2016. The issue of entitlement to a higher initial rating for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seizure disorder and its residuals, including left upper extremity neuropathy, headaches, and mental health issues, may be related to a cervical epidural steroid injection (ESI) performed at St. Mary’s Hospital in February 2014. However, due to lack of records showing referral by VA or specific VA facility involvement, the case is remanded for further investigation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD with TBI) and migraine headaches have been granted initial ratings of 100 percent and 50 percent, respectively.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for cervical degenerative disc disease and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports. The AOJ must provide an addendum opinion addressing the severity, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups since November 15, 2009.

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

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent rating for the entire appeal period, and service connection is granted for an unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board has denied direct service connection for headaches but has remanded the issue of secondary service connection for headaches to allow for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder and a headache disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain, compartment syndrome of the right and left lower extremities, and hypertension with headaches have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder has been denied as it is not causally or etiologically related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been denied as it was not incurred in service.