Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected headaches do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, as he can perform a variety of jobs that do not require special training and are not affected by his headache symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for spinal meningitis, associated with headaches and dizzy spells, has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from a July 1993 left total hip replacement (THR) due to lack of evidence showing negligence or informed consent, as the leg-length discrepancy was considered a normal and expected outcome of the procedure.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for service connection for various conditions such as headaches, skin condition, anxiety disorder, memory problems, joint and muscle disability, and sinusitis. The Veteran's representative asserts that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).,VA is instructed to obtain any missing private treatment records from the Veteran’s providers in Lincoln, Nebraska, as well as non-VA pulmonary records from Nebraska Pulmonary Specialties.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for chronic sinusitis, asthma, and headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability as secondary to pes planus. The claim is remanded for further development.,The Veteran's right knee condition was found not to be caused by his service-connected pes planus, and it is also not aggravated by pes planus beyond its natural progression.,The Veteran's left knee condition has not been evaluated in this decision as the issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate development and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and migraine headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between her disabilities and her service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various service connection and rating issues, including those related to sleep apnea, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral shin splints, right forearm condition (elbow limitation of flexion), right wrist sprain, migraine headaches, and sinusitis. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's agreement with the RO's determinations on these issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has vacated the August 6, 2020 decision that denied a rating more than 30 percent for migraine headaches and granted a 30 percent rating. The Veteran's due process rights may have been violated by not ruling on his motion to extend the time to submit additional evidence before the decision was entered.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been granted a 70 percent disability rating since July 15, 2008 for its impact on his mental health.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for headaches, a higher initial rating for post-traumatic stress disorder with alcohol and cocaine use disorders, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disorder, respiratory disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and headache disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Specifically, an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran has any current neurological, respiratory, gastrointestinal, or headache disorders that may be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches or migraines, chronic sinusitis, and tinnitus has been remanded due to the need for further development. The effective date for the grant of service connection for chronic sinusitis is set at September 24, 2013.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not considered incurred during or caused by his period of active service, and it was denied secondary to service-connected migraines.,The Veteran's CTS of the bilateral wrists is also not considered incurred during or caused by his period of active service.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection for chronic headaches associated with service-connected tinnitus. The claim for service connection for Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraine headaches require the aid and attendance of another due to her frequent need for assistance during migraines, which can cause bedridden status.