Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher disability ratings in several conditions, including voiding and erectile dysfunction, allergic rhinitis, hypogeusia, sinusitis, sinus headache, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. Additional evidence is needed, including private treatment records and VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. Therefore, the claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is granted, and he is awarded an initial disability rating of 50 percent for his tension headaches.

The Veteran's chronic anterior uveitis is granted as secondary to her service-connected headaches.,The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome are each rated at 10 percent, with no higher rating possible under the schedular criteria.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 50 percent on a schedular basis. The Board finds that an extraschedular evaluation is not warranted for this condition.,The Veteran's headaches have been found to be productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting the maximum 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's headache disability was granted service connection as a direct result of his in-service symptoms and has continued since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, headaches, and metal embedded in his head, all allegedly related to an incident during service.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as a headache disorder. Service connection was denied for cervical spine, left elbow, and right elbow disorders, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Veteran's joint pain disabilities of the hands, elbows, legs, shoulders, and wrists are granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The claim for joint pain disability of the low back and musculoskeletal chest is remanded due to lack of a VA medical opinion addressing causation or aggravation by PTSD. The claim for headache is also remanded for an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to inadequate medical opinions and new development is needed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for Diabetes Mellitus, Eye Disorder, and Headaches are denied. The claim for a Gastrointestinal Disorder is REMANDED as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine its nature or etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable ratings for his depressive disorder, back disability, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these rating claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities have been dismissed. Effective May 24, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability and headaches due to incomplete and inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology. The case is being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to these claims are inadequate and remanded for further development. The Veteran's right knee, low back, and headache disabilities are all being reviewed due to their potential connection to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a higher 50 percent since June 26, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran has very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of migraines causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, including left sciatic nerve pain, muscle spasms, body rash, vertigo, gastroesophageal reflux disease, fibroids, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's headaches are found to have begun during service and continue today, granting service connection.,Service connection for a right knee disability was granted in July 2022, thus dismissing the appeal on this issue.,While hypertension is currently present, there is no evidence it began during service or is related to an in-service injury or disease. The claim is denied.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and diabetic retinopathy are found to be at least as likely as not related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.,Service connection for a bilateral eye condition secondary to diabetes mellitus is granted.,A right-hand disability is found to have begun during service, granting service connection.,Obstructive sleep apnea is found to have had its onset during service and is related to snoring issues that began in service. Service connection is granted.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches began during active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The right knee disability, residuals of TBI, and memory loss are remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine their onset or relationship to service.