Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its relationship to his service-connected disabilities, as well as any environmental exposures.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being associated with the claims file after the initial transfer of records. The Veteran was not provided an opportunity to waive AOJ review, and additional treatment records were added without consideration in the December 2023 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, depression (secondary to physical conditions/persistent migraine headaches), recurrent sinusitis and rhinitis with mucus retention cyst, and status post hemorrhoidectomy has been granted. The rating for the status post hemorrhoidectomy remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headache disorder is denied as the current 50 percent rating adequately compensates for his symptoms. His claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another is dismissed as moot due to already receiving maximum benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The neck scar and headaches remain rated as noncompensable, while the left shoulder condition is still rated at 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the TDIU issue for development and adjudication, as it is part of the underlying service connection claim. The case will be referred to VA's Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to the Veteran's unemployability primarily due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder from April 17, 2018, through August 23, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee meniscal tear was denied as the flexion limitation did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to the Veteran's service-connected conditions not preventing him from obtaining and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraines is granted at a 50 percent, but the hip condition issue is remanded due to lack of medical opinion.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for headaches, which were secondary to service-connected major depression disorder (MDD), was denied. Her claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence. The left shoulder disorder claim remains pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and headache disorder, including consideration of private x-rays from 1990 and chiropractic records. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea and headaches have been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for either condition.,The examiner concluded that the Veteran's current sleep apnea is not related to his service-connected PTSD, but rather due to smoking, obesity, and hypertension.

The appeal for service connection of a bilateral foot disability is dismissed. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted an initial rating of 50%. The issue of entitlement to service connection for type 2 diabetes mellitus is remanded.

The Board has determined that further development is needed regarding the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and a compensable rating for bilateral eyelid spasms. The ratings for PTSD, TBI, and migraine headaches remain unchanged.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, PTSD, TBI residuals, uterine leiomyoma with hysterectomy, cervical strain, thoracolumbar strain, and tinnitus, prevented her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 29, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete STRs and other missing records. The Veteran is entitled to service connection for tinnitus, but his claim remains pending on all other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his service connection claims, particularly those related to ulcerative colitis and its secondary effects on other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his right shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, elbow, headaches, neck, chest pains, and dental issues. The VA will provide these examinations and obtain the necessary opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unresolved issues regarding in-service stressors, medical opinions needed, and verification of certain conditions. The appeals are now pending again with the VA.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that they impact his everyday life. The Board finds new VA examinations are needed for a more accurate assessment of these conditions.