Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding higher ratings for posttraumatic headaches, a lumbar sprain, left knee patellofemoral syndrome and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome as well as for entitlement to service connection for temporomandibular joint pain.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings in hypertension, tension headaches, and right shoulder disability require additional evidence due to his assertions of worsening symptoms since previous examinations. The Board has therefore ordered remand for further evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for several issues, including increased disability ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The left knee issue requires an SOC due to non-compliance with prior Board directives. The thoracic and lumbar spondylosis, adjustment disorder, TBI, and post-traumatic headaches issues require additional examinations and assessments.

The Veteran's TBI and related headaches are granted as service-connected.,A cervical spine condition is also granted as service-connected, likely due to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's May 2019 VA Form 10182 constitutes a valid and timely legacy appeal for service connection for left ankle disability, OSA, TMJ, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a headache disability. The case is REMANDED to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 50 percent for migraines was granted. The appeals for the increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and bilateral pes planus were remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for headaches has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and total disability rating based on unemployability.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches that he contends had its onset during his period of active service. He also seeks a higher rating for his tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings for migraines, depression, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder and migraine headaches on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected neck disability. Service connection for back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the legacy appeal system not being opted into the modernized review system.

The reduction in the rating assigned for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches from 30 percent to zero percent was improper, and the 30 percent rating is reinstated, effective January 1, 2019. The issue of whether a higher disability rating is warranted remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for migraine headaches before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and PTSD are all granted with specific ratings. The headaches were initially rated at 30%, the bilateral plantar fasciitis at 10% prior to March 3, 2017, and since June 24, 2019, a separate rating of 10% for metatarsalgia is granted. PTSD is granted with a 70% rating prior to March 1, 2017.

The Veteran's headaches, which he first experienced during his deployment to Iraq, are considered service-connected as they started during active duty.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the 2018 benefit year is granted due to her use of a manual wheelchair for mobility, which caused wear and tear on her clothing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee disorder, headaches, sinus disorder, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity of these conditions, and the medical opinions provided did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its July 2022 remand directives and thus the claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for right hand, left hand, and headache disabilities. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted. The appeal is also granted for the evaluation of left shoulder tendonitis and left clavicle spur, lumbar spondylosis and osteophytosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), uterine fibroids, migraines, hypertension, residual scar from ventral hernia repair, anxiety, memory loss, sleep disturbances, knee disorder, and fibromyalgia. The appeal is remanded for further evaluations and determinations on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and missing records, including a VA examination for the claimed migraine disability.