Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran’s claims of service connection for a right knee disability, seizure disorder, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, sleep apnea, TBI, headaches, seizure disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

Your claims for increased ratings have been dismissed as the Board decisions granting your ratings are final.

The Veteran's 10 percent disability rating for mixed tension vascular headaches is restored, effective September 1, 2013. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for mixed tension vascular headaches is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, low back disorder, and right knee disorder. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations to determine current diagnoses and associated impairment.

The Veteran's joint and muscle pain, fatigue, sleep disorder, liver disorder, memory loss, headaches, and depression are presumed to be related to his service in the Persian Gulf. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to conflicting evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to impact her ability to work.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea with fatigue, headaches, a lower gastrointestinal disability (IBS), a neck disability (cervical spine arthritis), and a low back disability (lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and facet arthropathy of L5-S1).,Service connection was also granted for a left shoulder disability (degenerative joint disease) based on the Veteran's reports of in-service injuries.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection, but his eye condition, skin condition and sleep disorder (OSA) claims due to herbicide exposure are denied.,Service connection for hyperlipidemia is also denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed. The claim for reopening and service connection for cervical spine disability is granted, with a 40% rating effective from February 4, 2011. Service connection for other conditions (numbness in both hands, numbness in left fingers, numbness in right fingers, carpal tunnel syndrome of bilateral wrists, migraine headaches) was denied. The claim for service connection for Scheuermann's Kyphosis of Dorsolumbar Spine is granted with an effective date from February 4, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is set at June 27, 2014. The Veteran’s bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, right 4th proximal phalanx fracture with bony exostosis is granted an increased rating effective from the date of his claim (June 27, 2014).

The Veteran's headache disorder is caused or aggravated by her service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for additional retroactive payment of VA disability compensation due to the grant of an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for headaches is denied. The Board found that all authorized retroactive payments were made and no further payment was owed.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at 50 percent effective April 14, 2014. The Board found the Veteran's reports of prostrating attacks and economic inadaptability credible.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 30 percent level, as they cause prostrating attacks more than once per month.

The Veteran's claims for reopening service connection for left hip and left ankle disabilities have been granted. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection for thyroid cancer, breast mass, arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, hypertension, digestive disorder, respiratory condition, upper back/neck disability, migraine headaches, and others.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability and TBI residuals, were denied. The claim for service connection for the right shoulder was reopened due to new evidence, but the claim is still denied as there is no credible evidence of an in-service injury or current condition related to service.

The Veteran's application for a clothing allowance for his left knee brace was denied because the evidence did not document continued use of the device, including no sign of recent maintenance or replacement.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for joint pain, migraine headaches, PTSD, and left ear hearing loss due to additional development being required.