Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected TBI with headaches is granted a disability rating of 30 percent, which reflects the severity of his prostrating attacks occurring at least once a month.

The Veteran's appeals for cervical spine, thoracic spine, left eye, migraine headaches, right thumb arthritis, and right knee post-surgical scar disabilities have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for right knee degenerative joint disease, right ankle degenerative joint disease, PTSD, and right eye disability are pending and need further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, and did not reopen his claim for service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened and granted. Service connection for tinnitus is also granted. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, chronic headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right leg condition is denied. The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, PTSD) and headaches are remanded.,Further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions are needed to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his headaches associated with his right infraorbital fracture is being remanded. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability from the headaches claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly their relationship to his service-connected severe right shoulder bony ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current left knee disability, headaches, and sleep problems are related to his service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI.,The Veteran's low back and left knee disorders have been remanded for further development.

The appeal for the cervical spine disorder is dismissed. The PTSD and TDIU claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches began during her active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for upper back pain, respiratory disorders, pleural effusion/pneumothorax, ulcers, GERD, erectile dysfunction, infectious mononucleosis, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for arthritis, vision condition, gastro-intestinal condition, and tension headaches are dismissed as they are all considered part of his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% for the entire period on appeal, as they meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that are capable of producing severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headaches are related to his service. However, due to the dishonorable period of service from August 2008 to April 2012, these conditions cannot be directly linked to this period. The Board has therefore ordered a remand for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and cervical spine disability. The VA examiner found that the Veteran’s current headaches were not due to, or a result of, his in-service headaches but acknowledged a possible link between his service-connected PTSD or cervical spine disabilities and his headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability evaluations for his service-connected bilateral renal artery stenosis, post-surgical state excision of thrombotic hemorrhoids, kidney stones, and tension headaches due to a lack of recent VA examinations addressing the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher rating can be assigned.,The Veteran's back scars do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as they are not painful or unstable.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and TDIU due to service-connected disorders. The AOJ is instructed to obtain records from SSA, arrange a new medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran’s headaches, and consider whether service connected.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 30 percent disabling, but the Board has granted a 50 percent rating based on very frequent prostrating attacks that result in severe economic inadaptability.