Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was partially granted, with a 60 percent rating for status post internal sphincterectomy and anal fissure with residual incontinence. The appeals for migraine headaches and major depressive disorder are remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he has one disability rated at 40 percent or more and sufficient additional disability to bring his combined rating to 70 percent or more due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes cavus and costochondritis were denied. The issues of increased ratings for right wrist tendonitis, left wrist tendonitis, onychomycosis of the left big toenail, migraine headaches, and PTSD are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination. The Veteran's current right knee disability is not attributable to disease or injury sustained during his period of service, and thus service connection is denied.

The Board denied past due benefits for attorney fees as the claim for service connection for tension headaches was not a final decision and thus, no fees were earned.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis was dismissed. The Board also considered the issue of TDIU prior to December 21, 2015 and remanded it.

The Veteran's cervical strain and right ear hearing loss claims are denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities.,The Veteran's left leg shin splints with calf muscular strain claim is remanded for further evaluation, but the initial rating remains at 0% (denied).,The Veteran's right leg shin splints with calf muscular strain claim is also remanded for further evaluation, and the initial rating remains at 10% (denied).,The Veteran's headaches claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and medical opinions regarding her claimed disabilities, as well as clarification on periods of service exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of service connection for a back disability and a compensable initial rating for tension headaches due to potential outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for headaches, including as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and/or major depressive disorder), is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including left ankle, knee, shoulder, low back, foot hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, IBS, and migraine headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for sinusitis, scar, upper lip, head injury, headaches, and PTSD due to a lack of available VA treatment records and potential military logs.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a headache disorder, respiratory condition, hypertension, insomnia, peripheral vascular disease of the left and right lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety, depression, and PTSD) due to potential exposure to herbicide agents during service. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The appeal on issues regarding migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis was not timely filed, resulting in denial.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Depressive Disorder, and Headache Disability due to MST are granted. The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,Service connection for PTSD and Depressive Disorder as due to MST is established.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% from July 3, 2013 to August 29, 2016. The rating for ischemic heart disease remains at 30%. The Veteran's headaches and diabetes are not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination as there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's conditions are service-connected.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 30 percent since November 14, 2011. The Board found that the Veteran has had at least one prostrating attack per month during the appeal period and granted a 30 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's rating for migraine headaches has been at the maximum level (50%) since June 4, 2010. The Board denied a higher rating as there is no higher schedular rating available regardless of symptomatology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines and headaches, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.