Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot disorders, nasal conditions, and hypertension due to additional development of records and VA examinations.

The Board dismissed the appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine injury with strain. A separate compensable disability rating of 10 percent, but no higher, was granted for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from January 12, 2017. Service connection for anxiety disorder with amnesic disorder was properly terminated and denied. Severance of special monthly compensation housebound benefits, non-service connected pension, and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits were also granted.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, with a combined rating of 90 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia, patellofemoral joint, left knee, to include as secondary to service-connected residuals of a right foot fracture with a great toe injury. The claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability is remanded.

The Board found that there is no current disability for VA compensation purposes related to the Veteran's claimed urinary tract infection, and thus denied her claim. The other issues were not addressed due to the need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for TBI with headaches was denied. The claim for PTSD was reopened, but service connection remains denied. The Veteran does not have any current psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected seventh facial nerve injury is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent, and his hearing loss disability is not higher than a 10 percent rating.,However, he was granted TDIU based on his combined service-connected disabilities (80%) being high enough to meet the criteria for this benefit.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for lumbar strain with scoliosis, a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines, and a rating in excess of 10 percent from July 1, 2006, in excess of 30 percent from August 15, 2013, in excess of 100 percent from September 28, 2015, in excess of 30 percent from November 1, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent from January 23, 2017, for residuals ACL repair, right knee limitation of extension, and an effective date prior to October 2, 2009, for a rating of 40 percent for lumbar strain with scoliosis has been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for McArdle’s disease and TDIU due to service-connected disability. The VA examination is needed to address the specific requirements necessary for a higher rating for McArdle’s disease, including symptoms such as sleep disturbances, paresthesias, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, depression, anxiety, or Raynaud's like symptoms.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder was previously remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and consideration of extraschedular criteria.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and migraine headaches associated with cervical spine disability are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical arthritis, dizziness, fainting spells, migraines, and memory loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her active service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided that additional evidence should be considered to determine if the Veteran's claims for service connection are valid, as some of his conditions were not properly addressed in previous decisions.

The Veteran's head injuries during service are found to be related to his current migraines with vision impairment, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder and opioid pain medications. The claims for left hip disability, right hip disability, bilateral ocular disability, respiratory disability, hypogonadism with erectile dysfunction, skin condition, recurrent sprains of the left ankle, recurrent sprains of the right ankle, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, status post left foot tendon release with benign tumor of the plantar surface with plantar fasciitis, and status post right foot tendon release with benign tumor of the plantar surface with plantar fasciitis are all denied. The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for tension-migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to new evidence being added to his file, including VA treatment records. The claims include service connection for various conditions related to scleroderma and other disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and headaches as there was no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's claims were not supported by medical evidence showing the presence of these conditions during or after service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and various service connection claims were granted, with the exception of those related to head size increase, left nerve pressure lower extremity, left nerve pressure upper extremity, right nerve pressure lower extremity, right nerve pressure upper extremity, and sleep apnea syndromes. The effective date is not specified.