Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disability. The appeal is remanded for additional development on several other issues, including an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease and a TDIU.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent since May 31, 2014. The Board found that the Veteran experienced frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's headaches began during active service and have continued since then. The issues of service connection for TBI and memory loss as secondary to TBI were dismissed due to a withdrawal request by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical condition, bilateral knee condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, memory loss, headache, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are related to undiagnosed illnesses or secondary to a service-connected disability (angioedema).

The Veteran's last VA examinations were conducted in February 2015, which are considered too old for an adequate evaluation of his current condition. Therefore, a new examination is needed to determine the current severity of his tension headaches and restless leg syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee disabilities and other conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities affecting his lower extremities. However, as he is now eligible for this benefit, the claim for a special home adaptation grant is dismissed.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability was granted, but the claim itself remains denied. The claims for effective dates and ratings were also addressed and are either granted or denied as appropriate.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied all other service connection claims. The effective date of the grant is January 16, 2013.

Service connection is granted for hypertension. The Veteran developed hypertension in service and there is no evidence of pre-existing condition.,Service connection is denied for bilateral hearing loss as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a disability based on current audiometric findings.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right shoulder disability, and left knee arthritis are granted. The Veteran is also awarded initial ratings of at least 10 percent for his left knee lateral instability and limitation of extension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened, and the claim is granted. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, migraine headaches, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus and anxiety disorder have been granted service connection. The Veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and evaluation due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the current severity of the Veteran's acne and migraines, as well as an issue related to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further evaluation of the Veteran's service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss disability, left ear hearing loss disability, cervical spondylosis, tinnitus, tinea versicolor, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited flexion, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limited extension, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with impairment of the thigh, right knee strain, left knee strain, thoracolumbar strain, right shoulder scars, status-post surgery, left ingrown toenails, and migraine headaches have all been denied.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus claim has also been denied for periods when a 100% rating was granted due to surgical convalescence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions due to the inability to schedule VA examinations at his current correctional facility.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for asthma, TBI, and headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, migraine headaches, TDIU, and DEA benefits due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for a residual scar of the right forearm under Diagnostic Code 7805 is dismissed due to the Veteran's testimony indicating she does not need an increased evaluation for this condition.

The Veteran's post-concussion headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to October 23, 2017. The Veteran's L5 spondylolysis with L5-S1 spondylolisthesis is rated at 10 percent prior to October 23, 2017.