Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 4, 2010 for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance (SMC(l)) due to lack of evidence indicating loss of use of both feet or lower extremities prior to that date.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Appellant's service connection claims, including back disability, right knee disability, bilateral sciatica, neck disability, chronic headache disorder, and associated conditions. The decision also includes a request for additional medical records and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The effective date of service connection for residual scar status-post TBI is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. An effective date of February 18, 2016 was established for the grant of a 10 percent rating for ethmoid sinusitis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a right shoulder disability, left foot Morton's neuroma, traumatic arthritis of the left ankle, arthralgia of the left knee, post-concussive syndrome, depressive disorder with post-concussive syndrome (previously rated as personality change due to another medical condition), migraine headaches, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The AOJ is directed to obtain all VA treatment records scanned into VistA Imaging or other repository.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches. The remaining claims are remanded and will be reconsidered with additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer residuals, hemorrhoids, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The Veteran also has increased ratings for his prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn.,For the period prior to June 19, 2017, his cervical spine disability is not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and migraines were granted service connection effective October 13, 2015. The Veteran was awarded a 50% rating for PTSD with TBI.,An increased rating of migraine headaches to more than 50% is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches (migraine and tension headaches) as secondary to a service-connected temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disability, but denied service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's initial 30% disability rating for migraines is being remanded due to a request for an increased rating. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and frequency of his headaches, including whether they are prostrating.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied.,No new or material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and gastrointestinal condition.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to warrant readjudicating the service connection claims for ankylosing spondylitis, sleep apnea, cervicogenic headaches, hemorrhoids, neuropathic pain at post herniorrhaphy site, erectile dysfunction, three (3) brain tumors on left side above C1-C6 vertebrae spinal cord, and traumatic hip injury. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's initial rating for hypertension is granted at 10 percent, effective June 11, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an increased rating and service connection for complications of hypertension.

The Veteran's kidney stones, gastrointestinal disability (including diarrhea), and acute intermittent tension headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving an initial compensable rating for his migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for acid reflux, hemorrhoids, residuals of Depo-Provera, migraine headaches, and anxiety and insomnia due to a lack of a VA examination specifically addressing these conditions. The Veteran is presumed competent to report her symptoms during service.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a disability rating of 50 percent, which is the maximum available under current regulations. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, headaches, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's low back disability. The claims are based on direct evidence of in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headache condition and migraines with migraine variants are a result of his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI residuals and a headache disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury. The Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service, nor caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for the Veteran's back disability remains remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding its relationship to service. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there was no opinion addressing whether it was aggravated by his service-connected prostatitis.