Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee disability, tension headaches, and right hip disorder were not granted higher ratings or service connected. The gynecological and genitourinary disorders were also not granted service connection.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, left ankle and right ankle disabilities, and left knee and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable, which may affect the outcome of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and a need for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, sleep apnea related to depressive disorder, and headaches related to depressive disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for tension headaches prior to September 4, 2018, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for basal cell carcinoma is remanded.

The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for unspecified depressive disorder prior to February 6, 2020 is granted. A higher rating of 100 percent is denied as the evidence does not show total social and occupational impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a headache condition.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chronic migraine headaches was denied, and his claim for service connection for eye condition is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantial and gainful employment due to his head injury, headaches, skin condition, and adjustment disorder. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to adequately address the Veteran's statements regarding worsening migraine headaches. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of his migraines.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU, finding that the criteria were met on October 16, 2014. The Veteran was granted service connection and a TDIU award at this time.

The Veteran's skull loss due to craniotomy is rated at 50 percent effective August 31, 1992.,Post-surgical headaches are rated at 30 percent from August 31, 1992 to March 24, 1998 and at maximum schedular rating of 50 percent thereafter.,Service connection for benign neoplasm of the left ear with vertigo is granted effective June 13, 2011.,Right ear hearing loss is awarded an effective date of December 5, 2012.,A separate noncompensable rating for a left iliac crest scar prior to June 13, 2011.,Service connection for a left iliac crest scar is granted with an effective date of June 13, 2011.,An increased 20 percent rating for painful and/or unstable scars of the left iliac crest and craniotomy is awarded from December 5, 2012.,The Veteran's motion for revision of the June 1993 rating decision on basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for severe headaches, currently claimed as migraines, is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, the Board has decided that additional development is needed before reaching a decision on the merits.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 0 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to infrequent attacks and lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's cerebrovascular accident residuals.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, and migraines were denied in the February 2015 rating decision. The claim for bilateral lower extremity neurological disability was also denied.,A petition to reopen the diabetes claim has been received, but the service connection is still denied.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for bipolar I disorder effective April 28, 2012. The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder results in total occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran has been unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 13, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's entitlement to TDIU for this period is warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The rating for her headaches remains at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic leg pain and migraine headaches due to insufficient analysis in previous decisions. The case is being returned for further review, including consideration of functional impairment and medical opinions.