Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected post traumatic headaches and residuals of fracture of the cervical spine were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a higher rating during the relevant periods.

The Board has granted service connection for a left eye scar, headaches, dizziness, and residuals of a left arm stab wound. The Veteran's current diagnoses are based on his lay statements regarding symptoms he experienced during service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations of migraine headaches and depressive disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, including employment details and treatment records. The Veteran will be asked to provide information about his employment history over the claim period and any intervals of unemployment or underemployment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his attorney before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder and denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran is now entitled to increased ratings for his PTSD with alcohol abuse, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected anxiety disorder and migraine headaches. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) is also inextricably intertwined with the other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. The low back disability is rated at 20 percent and the right thumb disability is rated at 10 percent. A TDIU is granted for the period before December 16, 2016.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are rated at 30 percent from February 26, 2013 to February 6, 2015.

The Veteran's appeal for nosebleeds and left long finger disorder has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for dental disorder (to include grinding the teeth, locking of the jaw, and TMJ) is granted. The condition is etiologically related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's appeal for headaches, secondary to a dental disorder, is granted. The condition is related to his service-connected bruxism.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability, or that any claimed disabilities may be related to service. Therefore, the claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, gout, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disability were denied.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches are service-connected. Service connection for a groin disability, bilateral hearing loss, bilateral shin splints, skin disorder, and erectile dysfunction is not established. The Veteran has an extraschedular rating for his lumbar spine condition and the claim for a higher PTSD rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is related to his active military service. The TDIU claim will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current headache disorder did not originate in service, was not manifest within one year of discharge from service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to active service including a facial injury in active service.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 11, 2006. The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), major depressive disorder, hallux valgus of the feet, and irritable bowel syndrome are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Veteran's right lower radiculopathy was reduced from 10 percent to noncompensable effective February 11, 2009. The Board restored the original rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran is not entitled to a TDIU rating as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient medical opinions and new evidence is needed. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are expected to be evaluated in detail.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI is related to his in-service parachute accident, and service connection for this condition is granted. Other issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety is granted as service connected, and the issue of service connection for headaches on a secondary basis to his service-connected back disability is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and low back degenerative disease were not incurred or aggravated by service, and are not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, left knee, epididymitis, cluster headaches (claimed as allergic rhinitis), and pseudofolliculitis were denied in final rating decisions. The effective date assigned is October 17, 2003.