Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis has been reopened and granted. The Veteran is also granted increased ratings for his right knee instability and arthritis, as well as left knee arthritis.,Service connection for headaches secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis has been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) due to insufficient evidence showing in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since March 14, 2017.,For his posttraumatic headaches, the Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and fatigue, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral hearing loss has been reopened due to new evidence showing a direct relationship between his military service and current hearing loss.,Headaches are considered a symptom of maxillary sinusitis, so the Veteran cannot be granted separate service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest schedular rating available, and a higher rating is not warranted.,The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating. His right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate reasons or bases provided in the previous decision and because of new evidence. The case is now being sent back for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, effective May 5, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,For migraines, the Veteran was granted a 30 percent disability rating since November 19, 2003. The Board noted that there is no objective evidence of prostrating attacks or severe economic inadaptability to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's migraines are related to his service-connected PTSD and the Board has granted service connection for these symptoms.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a headache disorder, fibromyalgia or fibroid tumors. The Board finds no evidence to support service connection for these conditions on either direct or secondary basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of a head injury, jaw disability, skin condition, and chronic headaches as there was no evidence of current disabilities or direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, vertigo, and menstrual abnormalities were denied as no new evidence was provided to support the claims. The effective dates for awards of service connection remain unchanged.

The case is being remanded for further development and adjudication of the intertwined claims, including the claim for vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits. The Veteran's previously denied claim to reopen a service connection issue, as well as other service connection and increased rating claims are also on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been evaluated as 50 percent disabling, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and migraines due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Veteran's testimony indicates that his headaches began in service, and VA treatment records suggest a possible link between his current migraine headaches and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an audio malfunction during his September 2016 videoconference hearing. He was granted a service connection for right knee instability in July 2016 and that claim is not currently on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis, headaches, and onychomycosis of both feet. The new evidence received did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as 0 percent disabling. The Board finds no evidence to support a compensable rating for his hearing loss. For service connection, the Veteran was not shown to have a left knee disability or migraines that are related to his active service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective October 4, 2010. Prior to this date, her combined disability rating was only 50 percent and did not meet the criteria for TDIU.