Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal of a compensable rating for status post bilateral strabismus eye surgery was dismissed. The Board granted a 50 percent rating for cluster migraines, finding the Veteran's headaches meet the criteria for such a rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that they precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board has granted a 50 percent rating. The Veteran’s low back disability is remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a back disorder was denied as no new and material evidence had been received showing a relationship to military service.,His application to reopen his claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, but the underlying issue remains remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. Additional evidence and a new examination are needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, GERD, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports. The Board will seek addendum opinions from the relevant examiners to address the direct service connection theories.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar strain, but denied service connection for right shoulder disorder and headaches and dizziness.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist, left and/or right knee, and headache disorders due to a lack of competent evidence showing current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a brain aneurysm, including headaches. The evidence presented since the July 2009 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim and supports a finding that the Veteran had headaches during service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches and chronic lumbar strain with degenerative changes are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and new examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of migraines, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the initial rating for tinnitus is denied as there is no legal basis to award a higher schedular evaluation. The issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, CFS, headaches, CTS, restless leg syndrome, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded several claims, including reopening of service connection for various disabilities and increased evaluations. The Veteran's VA treatment records have been submitted but need to be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 11, 2012 for service connection of PTSD with depressive disorder and migraine and post-coital headaches associated with TBI. The decision stated that no claim was filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of hypertension is likely related to elevated blood pressure during active duty. Service connection was denied for residuals of cerebral concussion with headaches and blackouts.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for recurrent headaches, frostbite, arthritis, and a neurological disability. The new evidence submitted by the Veteran relates to an unestablished element of these claims and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating them.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent rating from April 27, 2015 to June 5, 2017.,Since June 5, 2017, the Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for his migraine headaches.,The Veteran's right spermatocele is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for memory loss is denied as the condition has already been granted.,The Veteran's PTSD claim resulted in a grant of an initial disability rating of 70% but no higher, effective February 19, 2013.,The Veteran's unspecified joint condition claim is remanded due to lack of proper medical examination and evidence.,Fatigue (claimed as chronic fatigue syndrome) and thyroid condition are related; the Veteran's fatigue is remanded for a VA examination.,Headaches are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination. The issues include determining whether new evidence was received to reopen a claim, as well as evaluating various conditions such as tinnitus, rotator cuff disorders, arthritis, Gulf War syndrome, joint pain, headaches, sleep disturbances, allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory disorder, fatigue, skin disorder, knee tendonitis, ankle disorders, and others. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded to allow for further review and examination.