Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and SMC based on housebound status. The decision also noted that there was no confirmed diagnosis of PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for higher ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record. The Veteran's headaches, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and insomnia were all rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus did not require insulin and a restricted diet prior to July 14, 2015. He has not required more than two doses of insulin per day or a restricted diet resulting in episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia requiring hospitalization.,Prior to April 13, 2007, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes did not include peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities. There was no evidence of weakness or impaired reflexes.,From April 13, 2007 to June 18, 2009, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of numbness in his toes which would come and go and occasional leg pain, with nothing rising to the level of mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.,From June 18, 2009 to September 20, 2012, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of peripheral neuropathy that was no more than mild in each leg. After September 20, 2012, the Veteran's disability picture relative to his diabetes consisted of moderate peripheral neuropathy in each leg.,The Veteran's hypertension has not resulted in blood pressure readings predominantly higher than 160 systolic or 100 diastolic.,The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction does not include actual or approximated deformity of the penis or testicles.

The Veteran's headache disorder is found to have had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome and joint pain/fibromyalgia are not due to undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, but the Board finds that they may be related to her service-connected PTSD with MDD. The respiratory disorder (allergic rhinitis) is also not due to undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for his claimed conditions.

The Board has ordered additional development to obtain VA treatment records from 1969 and to provide the Veteran with a VA examination. The case will be returned for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for mixed tension/migraine headaches was granted with an initial rating of 10 percent effective March 18, 2013. The claims for other conditions were also granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been granted, and the issue is dismissed due to a complete grant of benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his headaches and determine the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his medical records and for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA medical records and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed migraine headaches and genital warts.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection of migraine headaches secondary to TBI and for a higher initial rating on schedular basis, finding that July 12, 2012 is the appropriate effective date. The claim for TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected TMJ disease. The Board finds that the Veteran's diabetes requires use of insulin or an oral hypoglycemic agent and a restricted diet, but he has not been prescribed or advised to avoid strenuous occupational and recreational activities due to diabetes.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are rated at the maximum allowable rating of 50 percent. The TBI is currently rated as a '1' prior to October 14, 2016 and as a '3' after that date. The Veteran has been unable to secure gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since March 12, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 22, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines, finding that the Veteran's chronic headaches began in service and are related to his service-connected TBI. Service connection for a cervical spine disability was denied as there is no evidence of a neck injury or disease during service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent prior to November 19, 2012 for migraine headaches and granted a 50 percent evaluation beginning November 19, 2012. The Veteran's condition is characterized by frequent prostrating attacks that have resulted in severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis is being remanded due to the need to obtain employment information from his former employer, Insurance Options, Inc.