Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to the Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headache associated with traumatic brain injury. The remand includes obtaining VA and private treatment records, particularly from the Denver and Rapid City Vet Centers, and considering Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) if an earlier effective date is granted.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, asthma, and tension headache disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records from Fairfield/Travis AFB VA Outpatient Clinic.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher initial ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities and service connection for a chronic headache disability, as well as for a respiratory disability. The Veteran's hearing loss claim is denied.

The Veteran's OSA and headaches are granted service connection.,ED is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for a 30 percent rating for tension headaches prior to May 12, 2021 is granted. A higher rating of 50 percent or above is denied at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of migraine and lumbosacral strain were dismissed due to the Veteran's representative requesting their withdrawal.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to April 10, 2018, for the award of special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. The decision found that no formal or informal claim was filed within one year before the receipt of his claim on April 20, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted as it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The issue of service connection for neurological conditions or headaches, including as due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multi symptom illness (MUCMI), is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected hyperthyroidism and Graves' ophthalmopathy, hypertropia, bilateral lid retraction, strabismus, and diplopia are found to cause his headaches. Effective dates for the awards of service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's essential tremor, claimed as a nervous disorder (hand twitching), is found to have its onset during his military service and granted service connection. The claims for low back strain, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and chronic headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including psoriasis, cervical spine disability, low back disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, left shoulder disability, residuals of a left fibula scar, and other conditions, have rendered him unemployable since August 23, 2013. The Board has granted TDIU benefits from that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. Specifically, there are concerns about the severity of his hearing loss, headaches, and TBI prior to June 16, 2022, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of adequate examination and reasoning regarding the Veteran's claimed headache disability. The examiner was instructed to consider the Veteran's service treatment records and his reports of headaches, but did not do so in their opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder with panic disorder, right ankle degenerative arthritis, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to December 7, 2017. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a retrospective opinion on functional loss of his lumbar spine.

The Veteran's anal condition is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for vertigo and headaches due to lack of clear evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, chronic headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD to include as secondary to a service-connected disability due to inextricably intertwined issues with the claim of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown to have manifested by any symptomatology during or within one year of separation from active service. The Board denied these claims as the evidence did not support a finding that they are related to service.,For his back disability, skin condition of the feet, and migraine condition, no diagnosed form of arthritis was found within one year of discharge from service. The Veteran's complaints were noted only after 10 years post active service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for chondrosarcoma of the brain and a headache disorder, both related to his military service.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral knee disorder but denied for bilateral ankle disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's March 2017 substantive appeal was untimely, as it was received nearly one year after the April 2016 Statement of the Case and more than 60 days after the April 2016 SOC. The decision denied the appeal due to lack of timely submission.