Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's initial evaluations for migraine headaches and TBI were denied, with the Board finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examinations regarding the Veteran's claimed sinusitis and headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no evidence showing he could not secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to February 11, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not produce unemployability prior to February 26, 2015. His combined rating was at least 80% from January 9, 2015, and he failed to provide necessary information for a finding of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases due to lack of substantial compliance with its previous directives, and further examination is needed for both headaches and gastrointestinal disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and a headache disorder due to inadequate examination in August 2019.,The preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran’s current conditions are related to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of headache and TBI conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and evaluation.,No new rating assigned as the maximum schedular ratings were not assigned for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder is rated at a maximum of 20 percent since January 16, 2009.,Service-connected migraines are currently rated at the maximum 50 percent rating since January 16, 2009. The Veteran seeks an extraschedular rating for these symptoms.

The Veteran's broken bones claim is denied as there is no current diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's migraine headaches claim is denied due to lack of a causal relationship with service.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability claim is denied based on the absence of a link between the 1994 car accident and current symptoms.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability claim is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service or the 1994 car accident.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability claim is denied for similar reasons.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) claim is denied due to lack of a causal relationship with service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for seasonal sinusitis with headaches was denied. Her appeal for TDIU prior to November 25, 2013, was dismissed due to her failure to submit the required VA Form 21-8940 application form.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches disability has been rated at 30 percent since April 20, 2020. The Board finds that the severity of his headache pathology throughout the period prior to this date was consistent with a 30 percent rating based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once a month.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches. Service connection was denied for seizure disability, spot on the brain, right eye disability, and blurred vision and spots.

The Veteran's sinusitis claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's headaches are rated at 10% effective August 17, 2013, and at 50% effective October 13, 2019.

The Veteran's PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, and stimulant use disorder are rated at 70 percent prior to January 10, 2014. The Board denied a higher rating due to the severity of his symptoms not warranting a 100 percent rating.,Tension headaches were granted a 10 percent rating effective February 1, 2017 and a 50 percent rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted with a rating of 70 percent effective June 7, 2016.,Headache syndrome is granted with a 50 percent rating effective November 9, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for tension headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding a medical nexus between the Veteran's military service and his current condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disability and night tremors, as well as her claim for TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision. The claims are now pending with the VA for further review.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for fatigue disorder, gastrointestinal symptoms (GERD and gastric ulcers), migraines, left eye disability, and right eye disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain addendum opinions from VA medical professionals.