Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death and service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and clarification of opinions regarding service connection for residuals of a head injury, headaches, brain thrombosis, left upper extremity disorder with numbness, palsy and spasms, and left lower extremity disorder with peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of malaria. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen his claims for headaches, PTSD (claimed as depression and anxiety), stomach disorder (GERD), and respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for OSA, respiratory disability, and headache secondary to OSA are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal. The Board also remanded several claims, including those related to a pituitary tumor and associated disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for jaw pain and headaches, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with one another. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's TMJ disorder.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for cluster headaches from October 8, 2019. The case is remanded to determine the appropriate rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to her service-connected disabilities and new claims for various conditions. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary due to the Veteran's failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations, as well as the need to obtain authorization for medical records from civilian facilities and personnel records regarding her deployments.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including chronic headaches, a lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity neurological disorder (claimed as neuropathy), left knee disability, dizziness/vertigo, sleep disability (to include sleep apnea), and diabetes mellitus. The Board has remanded these issues to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the nature and likely etiology of each condition.

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

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for allergic rhinitis from January 9, 2017 is denied. The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance are both remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and migraine headaches are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches since July 18, 2016. The Veteran's symptoms have most closely approximated characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, migraine headaches, and a skin rash have been granted. The claim for service connection for the skin rash is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, TBI, headaches, right ring finger fracture, scar of the proximal right lateral calf, and proximal right anterior thigh scars were denied. The VA determined that the current evidence did not support higher disability evaluations based on the severity of the service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to incomplete records and conflicting opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence for his right foot disorder, torn Achilles' tendon, sinus disorder, vision disorder, headache disorder (secondary to vision disorder), and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to December 20, 2000 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar disability and PTSD have been granted service connection. The claims for headaches and hypertension secondary to PTSD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a sleep disorder as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent effective August 2, 2021. His low back strain is denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.