Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of bipolar disorder and service connection for migraine headaches are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including joint condition, left leg condition, right leg condition, muscle condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal condition (GERD), and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for a new VA examination. The examiner is asked to determine if these conditions are related to active military duty or in-service environmental hazards from his Persian Gulf War service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but the claims for right lower back disability and headache have been remanded due to outstanding records and procedural issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from caring for some of his daily personal needs and rendered him unable to protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that an effective date of October 14, 2011 is warranted for the grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and service connection for bipolar disorder is granted as secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of migraine headaches, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between her current condition and her military service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and headaches. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.,The VA examiners found no link between current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, osteophyte formation in the knees, and migraine headaches with any documented symptoms or injuries during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, as well as appeals for higher ratings for his right knee and chronic fatigue syndrome, were dismissed. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for allergic rhinitis but denied any increase in the rating for sinusitis with headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for ureterolithiasis (kidney stones) and migraines were denied. The Veteran's PTSD was also denied for an initial rating higher than 30 percent prior to April 7, 2017, and from that date onwards.,For the right shoulder disability, a 20 percent rating is granted since March 3, 2015, with restrictions. For the left shoulder disability, a 20 percent rating is also granted since March 3, 2015, with restrictions. The Veteran's right knee instability and limitation of motion are denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have led to frequent and prolonged attacks causing severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's headaches were initially rated as noncompensable prior to September 29, 2014 and increased to a 10 percent rating effective September 29, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, unspecified gastritis, and migraines have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left leg condition, right leg condition, obstructive sleep apnea, urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus type II, and asthma are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder was reopened and granted. His headaches, caused by PTSD, are now rated at 50 percent effective September 1, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD is also rated at 70 percent effective September 1, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, low back disability, bilateral upper and lower extremity disability, and Parkinson’s disease to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions are aggravated by his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for unspecified neurological condition associated with TBI and headaches associated with TBI.

The Veteran's facial scars have been rated as noncompensable due to the absence of characteristics of disfigurement or pain. The Board has found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a higher rating.,Several service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded, including cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, left hip disability, sleep disorder (including sleep apnea), GERD, erectile dysfunction, headaches, neurological disabilities of the buttocks and lower extremities, chronic pain, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection claims, rating determinations, and a TDIU claim due to inconsistencies in the evidence and need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine was granted. The claims for higher evaluations for headaches and traumatic brain injury, as well as TDIU prior to December 19, 2013, are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthralgia of the bilateral knees, hypertension (to include as secondary to PTSD), and chronic headaches due to inadequate compliance with previous remand orders.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection for heart arrhythmia, headaches, hearing loss disability, and ulcer disease. The claims of service connection for these conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, particularly those related to service connection.