Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for PTSD and a higher initial rating for asthma. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disorder, left arm disorder, right leg numbness, left leg numbness, depressive disorder, lumbar myositis (lumbar spine disability), left knee disability, migraine headaches, chronic gastritis, and left foot degenerative arthritis are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee disorder, dizziness, migraines, and brain disorder due to additional development being necessary.

The Board has remanded four issues: service connection for emphysema with pneumothorax, service connection for migraine headaches, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and a compensable rating for TBI. The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his conditions and military service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, bilateral hip disability, and right knee disability are all found to be related to his service-connected disabilities.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral hip and right knee disabilities as they are considered direct service connections.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn and dismissed. The Board has also remanded several claims due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PFB has been reopened, but the issue is remanded. The claim for service connection for alcohol abuse has also been reopened and is being remanded. The initial rating for migraine headaches remains at 50%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected tension headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are currently rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating prior to March 29, 2022.

The Veteran's right foot/ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 20 percent, but no higher.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for headaches has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the case as he died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities due to outstanding records and the need for VA examinations. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claim can be adjudicated due to lack of VA examinations for his claimed disabilities. The Veteran served on active duty from May 1970 to September 1973 and had in-service treatment for musculoskeletal injuries, including knee, leg, and ankle issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for TDIU effective February 1, 2014, finding that her service-connected disabilities have prevented her from obtaining and maintaining a substantially gainful occupation since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable evaluation for post-concussive headaches prior to August 13, 2020 and an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for post-concussive headaches from August 13, 2020, forward. Additionally, the Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, as his service-connected disabilities make him unemployable.,Claims for earlier effective dates for left lower extremity radiculopathy and hypertension are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, and for migraine headaches due to in-service sexual harassment. The VA will obtain all relevant treatment records and provide a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of her diagnosed conditions.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus and an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches since April 4, 2017. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and a vision disorder (not specified). The Veteran's right forearm disorder other than a wrist strain, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are remanded.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches since April 4, 2017. Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss and a vision disorder (not specified). The Veteran's right forearm disorder other than a wrist strain, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and lumbar spine disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, blurry vision, vertigo, a low back disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives regarding verification of alleged exposure to hazardous chemicals during service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches, including on an extraschedular basis, was denied. The Board found that the schedular rating adequately contemplates the Veteran's disability picture and his symptoms are fully contemplated by the defined regulations and rating criteria.