Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for migraine headaches was granted with an effective date of October 10, 2017.,Special monthly compensation based on housebound in fact due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in the October 2013 rating decision was granted with an effective date of June 27, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and review due to unclear service dates and potential issues with service connection.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine DDD.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury, including TBI, is denied.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,An effective date earlier than August 24, 2016, for the grant of service connection for headaches is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches have been characterized by less frequent characteristic prostrating attacks that have not been shown to occur an average of once in two months, or more frequently. As a result, the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his headache disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for migraines, as it was granted in a prior decision.,For the left upper extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent before August 8, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter. For the right upper extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,For the left lower extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent before August 8, 2019 and 20 percent thereafter. For the right lower extremity radiculopathy, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent throughout the appeal period.,For the cervical spine disability, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent before August 8, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter. For the lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), the Veteran is not entitled to a rating higher than 20 percent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, right lower extremity chronic muscular strain, left lower extremity chronic muscular strain, right ankle synovitis, left ankle synovitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and a headache disability were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cholesterolemia, chronic gastritis, and GERD have been denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, right shoulder disorder, chronic left rib cage pain, chronic chest pain (including tendonitis/costochondritis), right wrist disorder (including carpal tunnel syndrome), left wrist disorder (including carpal tunnel syndrome), left knee disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities), and left calf disorder (secondary to service-connected disabilities) have been granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia has also been granted, but the Board has remanded it due to a lack of VA examination.

The Veteran's sinusitis and acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and migraines, respectively. He is also granted a 10% disability rating for his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's nasal septal deviation is currently rated at 10 percent, effective April 28, 2014. The claim for higher ratings remains pending.,Headaches have been granted an initial 10 percent rating from May 23, 2011 to August 29, 2018 and a 50 percent rating thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, including right side numbness, and a bilateral leg disability (shin splints), finding that there was no evidence of direct causation or a link to service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder aggravates his obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, leading to a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for tension headaches and an increased rating for a right hip condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's headaches, fibromyalgia, and gastrointestinal disorder are granted service connection due to their onset during his Southwest Asia service. The claims for hypertension and left heel spur have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient consideration of continuity of symptomatology from service to present time and failure to consider a stressor event. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to address his remaining claims.

The Veteran's endometriosis is granted a 30 percent evaluation prior to February 28, 2020 and a maximum 50 percent thereafter. The Veteran's migraines are granted a 50 percent rating from February 28, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The cases of left ear hearing loss, skin cancer, toe fungus, and headache disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic headaches, bilateral foot disabilities (other than calluses), left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability (other than calluses), and right foot disability (other than calluses) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's head injury and head scar, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence to support these claims. The Veteran's lay statements and medical opinions are considered in determining that his current conditions are related to his military service.