Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, as well as headaches of unknown etiology and general weakness. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for a headache disability was denied, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (Posttraumatic-stress disorder) was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been granted a 30 percent evaluation, which is the maximum rating available under the criteria for migraine headaches.

The Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded several issues including service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypercholesterolemia has been denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA benefits purposes.,New and material evidence having been received, the claims for hypertension and alcoholism have both been reopened. Service connection is granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (depression and/or mood disorder), migraine headaches, and sleep apnea on secondary basis to service-connected conditions.,The Veteran's joint pain, coronary artery disease, diabetes, eye disorder, glaucoma, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, respiratory disorder (asthma), liver disorder, kidney disorder, erectile dysfunction, residuals of TBI, restless leg syndrome, GERD, and other issues have been remanded for further review.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, right foot condition, and chronic headache condition. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were related to his military service.,The VA examiner provided opinions against the Veteran's claims, noting no clear link between current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran withdrew both issues on appeal, including the initial compensable rating for post-concussion syndrome and the initial disability rating greater than 50 percent for tension headaches.

The Board has denied service connection for a right thumb disability and prostrating headaches due to lack of current disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sinus disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an allergy disorder (to include allergic rhinitis) is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as it was received more than a year after discharge. The rectum sphincter control disability, GERD, and PTSD claims are granted with increased ratings. The hemorrhoids claim is denied. The right wrist and left wrist disabilities, and headaches claims are remanded.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 10% disability rating, effective August 1, 2014.,The Veteran's GERD with gallbladder removal is rated at a 30% disability rating, effective August 1, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for tailbone fracture, hypertension, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claim of an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD was dismissed as moot due to the already established service connection for PTSD.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's TBI with tension headaches is rated at a noncompensable level since October 22, 2014. The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for the period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a headache disorder, as well as the claim for TDIU due to inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran needs to undergo new VA examinations to address these claims.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition, headaches, and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's claims were based on his contention that these conditions began during active service or due to an undiagnosed illness.,There is no evidence of any current diagnoses or in-service complaints related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were restored to a 30 percent rating, effective February 5, 2016. Other ratings remained unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, bone marrow cancer, and sleep apnea have all been denied as not related to service or otherwise established.,Service connection has not been granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks producing severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for migraine headaches and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case in both matters.