Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's service-connected stiff-person syndrome and related conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU prior to November 9, 2020. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for SPS is remanded due to possible worsening of the condition.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and tinnitus have been dismissed.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for headaches, vertigo (dizziness), sleep apnea, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are warranted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of this decision.

The appeal is dismissed as the September 2022 Statement of the Case renders moot the issue regarding the timeliness of VA Form 21-0958, Notice of Disagreement received on July 18, 2019 challenging a July 18, 2018 decision which denied reopening previously-denied claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic disabilities manifested by memory loss, light sensitivity, headaches, and concentration problems as they are not related to his military service.

The appeal for service connection for a thyroid disorder is dismissed. Service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, and left knee disability are granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to burn pits during service. The psychiatric disorder claim is remanded as it involves secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his service-connected hemorrhoids, gastroenteritis, and migraine headaches is remanded for additional VA examinations and etiological opinions. The left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative changes case is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headache disability, right ankle sprain and residuals of fibula fracture, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.,The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for traumatic brain injury (TBI) was also denied as a matter of law because the Veteran failed to report for VA examinations scheduled in October 2021 and May 2022.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent from August 13, 2012, due to very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a pituitary tumor, psoriasis, and a headache disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for an undiagnosed illness manifested by muscle and joint pain, as well as headaches that are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected Chron's disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with Depressed Mood, as well as the nature and etiology of any right and left knee disorders, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and arm, elbow, and hand disorders. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's current headache disability did not have its onset in service and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his active-duty service. However, the Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder), as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis made in accordance with DSM criteria.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, headaches secondary to major depressive disorder, and increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been granted. The case is REMANDED for additional development including examinations and readjudication.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's lower extremity arthritis and tendonitis.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's neck disability and head injury with residuals are not service-connected. The case is being remanded for further examination to address the onset of her symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for migraines and TDIU are remanded due to non-compliance with previous Board directives.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for service-connected migraine headaches from November 28, 2011. However, the case is remanded to develop further information regarding the Veteran's employment history and whether he qualifies for TDIU.