Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of psychiatric, headache, right eye, left shoulder, and neck disabilities due to new and material evidence. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims due to a lack of an adequate and timely VA Form 9 in response to the November 2015 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the criteria for TDIU have been met since November 20, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's testicle condition claim is denied as he does not have a present diagnosis and the preponderance of the evidence does not support an etiological link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, exercise-induced compartment syndrome of the legs, allergic rhinitis, GERD, or migraines prior to and after May 5, 2015. The Board also found that remand was necessary for further development regarding service connection for insomnia.

The Board has determined that new evidence supports reopening of claims for service connection for sleep apnea and right ear hearing loss. However, the left leg condition and headaches have not been substantiated by the provided evidence.

The Veteran's Meniere’s syndrome and sinusitis were granted an initial 30 percent rating, but DIC based on the cause of death was remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for higher ratings for migraines and TDIU, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's right knee instability and migraines have been denied. The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, headaches (secondary to sleep apnea), an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and anxiety) secondary to service-connected disabilities, a higher rating for sleep apnea, and a compensable rating for postoperative ventral hernia. The Veteran's claim for reopening of the previously denied claim of service connection for major depressive disorder has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI was denied, but his claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was granted and assigned a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his non-psychiatric service-connected disabilities. Other claims are also being considered.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for migraine headaches. The Veteran's hearing loss and fracture laceration left ring finger disabilities are also remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated as noncompensable, and the right hip condition has been remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for SLAP of the right shoulder was granted effective June 16, 2015. The initial compensable rating for IBS prior to June 1, 2016 and chronic interstitial cystitis were also granted.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent from November 21, 2017 forward and the right hand CTS is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea syndrome has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her sleep apnea.

Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is denied.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for OSA is denied.,Service connection for headaches is denied.,The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 20 percent and the reduction from 100 percent to 20 percent was proper.,An effective date prior to November 9, 2015, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. The hearing loss, shoulder, cervical spine, and right shoulder disabilities may be related to service, but further examination is needed to determine this. Headaches and carpal tunnel syndromes require opinion regarding their relationship to service or other conditions.