Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, central nervous system dysfunction, and neurobehavioral effects due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additional medical records are needed, and a VA examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent disability rating for sinus headaches, finding that the Veteran's characteristic prostrating attacks have occurred on average once every two months over the last several months. The decision also notes that a separate rating is warranted for migraines.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal at this time.

The Veteran's migraines condition is granted an initial rating of 50 percent, but no higher, due to the severity and frequency of his prostrating attacks.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypothyroidism and headaches associated with Rosai-Dorfman Disease due to procedural issues, and the Veteran is requested to provide VA Form 21-4142 for any private treatment records from an endocrinologist. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected hypothyroidism and headaches.

The Veteran was found unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from February 20, 2016, at the earliest.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and low back disorder, finding that there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and determining whether he meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for headaches and entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed. The appeal for a compensable rating for shell fragment wound scars, sacrum (mid lower back), left buttock, left inguinal area, and right posterior thigh is REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine, headaches, not otherwise specified, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to incomplete treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is granted. The Board finds a new examination necessary for the remaining issues due to lack of current evidence and conflicting opinions.

The Board has remanded the issue of TDIU prior to March 7, 2017 due to insufficient evidence and requests for additional development. The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and headaches are expected to make him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are not related to his military service, and the Board denies service connection for this condition. The Veteran's sarcoidosis is also denied as it did not manifest in service or within one year of separation from service. The Veteran's hypertension and back disability have been granted ratings, but the rating for mood disorder remains denied.

The Veteran's headache disability was granted a 50 percent rating effective December 10, 2018. Prior to this date, the disability did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. The Board has reopened the claims for gulf war syndrome, hepatitis C, PTSD, and anxiety disorder due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining missing service records and verifying alleged exposure to chemicals. The Veteran's conditions include gastroesophageal disorder (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, low back disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, neck disorder, right shoulder disorder, and residuals of a head injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a right leg disorder (snake bite), low back disorder, gout, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, major depressive disorder, and migraine headaches. The reasons given were that there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year of discharge, and the Veteran's assertions regarding secondary service connection were not supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's headaches are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with sleep disturbances.