Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

Service connection is granted for cervical spine spondylosis and thoracic spine compression fracture T7-T8.,Service connection is granted for headaches. Service connection is remanded for a right hip condition and head and face pain (claimed as sinusitis).

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to June 30, 2014 resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity. The Board granted a 70 percent disability rating for PTSD from September 20, 2012 to June 29, 2014. However, the issues of service connection for nausea and headaches were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new opinion regarding the severity of his headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of migraines, coronary artery disease, hypertension, and gastritis have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 22, 2013. The Board has granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) effective from that date.

The Veteran's IBS, GERD, and headache disabilities are not found to be secondary to her service-connected Hepatitis C or polyarthritis.,Fibromyalgia is diagnosed but the relationship to service-connected conditions remains unclear.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective January 25, 2021. The decision finds that her service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since this date.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not related to service or a service-connected condition.,Herpes was not diagnosed during service and no evidence supports its relation to service. ,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (migraine headaches) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Evidence received since the last final rating decision relates to an unestablished fact (an acquired psychiatric disability) and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity meets criteria for a 10 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,For the entirety of the appeal period, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity meets criteria for a 20 percent evaluation from January 31, 2013 to January 22, 2016 and from February 28, 2017. It does not meet criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings are being reconsidered due to new relevant records. The TDIU claim is referred to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to an inadequate VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches is being remanded due to the lack of compliance with prior remand directives and the need for a proper medical opinion considering all evidence of record, including lay statements and SSA records.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a 50 percent disability rating since August 23, 2010. The Board found the evidence supported this rating based on the frequency and severity of his migraines.

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

Your appeals for service connection for a left shoulder disorder, increased rating for left knee condition, and increased rating for migraines have been dismissed as you withdrew your appeal.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Veteran's IBS is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has found that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed TBI residuals, including whether they are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for sleep apnea, headache disability (secondary to sleep apnea), and respiratory disability (allergies) due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of a back disability, headache disability (migraines), and respiratory condition are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded. The left shoulder disability claim is reopened, but the lumbar spine sprain with degenerative joint disease and intervertebral disc syndrome, left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as left hip disability), right knee instability, left knee flexion limitation, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and migraine headaches claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.