Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is at least 70 percent but he failed to provide the necessary information for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating for service-connected tension headaches due to TBI.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated these conditions. The effective dates remain pending as no specific date was determined.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran suffers from headaches which were incurred in or are otherwise related to service, including due to being hit in the head or due to asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, including those scanned into the imaging system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headache disorder and hypertension, as well as a higher evaluation for her tinnitus. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied. Other claims were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, back condition, tinnitus, headache condition, COPD, stomach issues, and bilateral knee condition are being returned to the RO for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for dementia, vertigo (lightheadedness/dizziness), migraines, and abdominal scar. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, bilateral bunionectomies, gout, hypothyroidism, heart disease, hypertension, left hand arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and lumbar spine disability are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated medical records, examinations, and development of his TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a chronic headache disorder for additional development.

The Veteran's initial ratings for various knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his headache disability, have been granted. The right knee disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to February 1, 2012, then upgraded to 30 percent since April 1, 2013 due to the need for a total knee replacement. For the left knee, he received a 30 percent rating from July 29, 2019 onwards, with limitations on extension and flexion. The right shoulder disability was initially rated at 20 percent prior to July 29, 2019, then upgraded to 40 percent since that date. For the left shoulder, he received a 30 percent rating from August 22, 2019 onwards. His headaches were initially denied but granted with a 30 percent rating starting February 15, 2018.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including cervical spine disability, right and left hip disabilities, left wrist and elbow disabilities, psychiatric disability, sleep disability, and gastrointestinal disability. The effective dates for service connection are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent prior to December 6, 2018. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU for the period prior to November 13, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Migraine Disorder, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to April 10, 2019.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased ratings of service-connected migraines and PTSD with MDD, opioid use disorder, and TBI residuals because the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.