Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding the etiology of his sleep apnea. The TDIU claim also requires clarification of employment status.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions are inadequate, and thus new opinions are necessary to adjudicate the service connection claims for lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and headache disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death was not due to a service-connected disability, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (headaches and degenerative arthritis of the right wrist) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headache disorder began in service and is related to his military duties, thus granting service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, low back disorder, and associated upper and lower extremity radiculopathy are service-connected.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and neuropsychological disorder) is service-connected.,The Veteran's sleep disorder, fibromyalgia, multiple joint and muscle pain, hemorrhoids, recurrent headaches, cardiovascular disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, respiratory disorder, and left eye injury are not service-connected.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a 70 percent rating, but no higher. The Board finds the Veteran entitled to at least a 70 percent rating for his PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to increased ratings and service connection.,The Veteran also withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for IBS and GERD, chronic fatigue syndrome, allergic skin reaction, insomnia, obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, respiratory disability, nerve entrapment (left elbow), and radiating pain to the left wrist (ulnar entrapment).

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, on a direct or secondary basis to migraine headaches associated with TBI. The Veteran's claim of service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development including new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches and hypertensive heart disease, finding that there was no probative evidence showing a direct link between his current conditions and his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and a right hip disorder, as new and material evidence has been received. The skin condition is not shown to be related to service, headaches are not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service, and there is no diagnosis of a left shoulder condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed back disabilities and manifestations are not related to service, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease. The claim for memory loss due to an undiagnosed illness was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being associated with the claims file, and a videoconference hearing is scheduled for the Veteran.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under VA regulations.,Chronic otitis externa is not present and therefore does not warrant a compensable rating.,TMJ with mild tremors was initially evaluated at 20% prior to January 8, 2010. From March 14, 2016, the Veteran's TMJ disability warrants a 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded to obtain updated treatment records, a VA examination, and further development.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation based on extra-schedular criteria.

The Veteran's chronic headache disorder and chronic sinus disorder are found to be related to service, with the effective date for service connection being determined.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at the highest possible under the rating criteria, with manifestations of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on the Veteran's reported combat experience.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a change in his condition since the last examination and the need for additional treatment records.