Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, major depressive disorder, mood disorder, and psychotic disorder rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 31, 2007 to July 17, 2013. The TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,The Board finds that the Veteran’s claims for service connection for back disability, tinnitus, and headache disorder are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a stay regarding naval service and presumed herbicide exposure. The issues of service connection for DM and CV disorder are impacted by the Federal Circuit's decision in Procopio v. Wilkie, which expanded the definition of 'service in the Republic of Vietnam' to include the territorial sea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of headaches, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his headaches and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for migraines prior to December 12, 2019 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter has been granted. The appeal for TDIU prior to October 5, 2015 has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected sarcoidosis, as well as addressing the conflicting evidence of arthritis in both feet versus no arthritis found on recent x-rays. The issues include entitlement to service connection for various conditions such as sleep apnea, foot disabilities, TBI residuals, headaches, PTSD, and increased ratings for sarcoidosis and back disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is restored to a 40 percent rating effective June 1, 2018. The Veteran's headache and acquired psychiatric disabilities are each granted increased ratings of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus and migraine headaches due to potential issues with the addendum opinions provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from maintaining gainful employment effective from March 30, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches was increased from 30% to 50%, the maximum schedular rating available, based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted service connection. The claims for diverticulitis, IBS, obstructive sleep apnea, and headache disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher initial ratings are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's meningitis and related symptoms are not service-connected, as the Board found that VA did not cause or contribute to his additional disability.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's migraine headaches associated with a traumatic brain injury, finding that these headaches are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and procedural issues, including a missed hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent from May 14, 2010, to September 26, 2019. The Board found that the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they did not result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, headaches, blurry vision, tinnitus, and low back disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional evidence or medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches and emphysema, do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted an initial 10 percent rating.,A compensable rating for allergic rhinitis prior to January 15, 2013 and a greater than 10 percent rating thereafter is denied.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including right knee disability, left knee disability, headaches, recurrent cysts, residuals of fracture, right little finger, and sleep apnea. The Veteran's outstanding VA treatment records and private physical therapy records are to be obtained, as well as any SSA records relevant to his disability benefits claim.