Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, the highest possible rating under VA guidelines. The Board found that his symptoms meet the criteria for very frequent and prolonged attacks causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's muscle contraction headaches, claimed as migraine headaches, are rated at 50% effective August 3, 2015. The Board granted a TDIU beginning from this date due to the combined effect of his service-connected PTSD and muscle contraction headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, headaches, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or insufficient evidence, including a need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his Gulf War Syndrome and related conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection and increased ratings has been granted, but effective dates prior to the date of receipt of claims are denied. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder, OSA, and headache disability. The effective dates are not specified as the claims were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine condition, right knee condition, and headaches have been reopened. The Board has remanded the cases to obtain medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's current disabilities, including urinary dysfunction and retrograde ejaculation/infertility, are found to be caused by the improper treatment received at the Bronx VAMC in February 2002.

The Veteran's headaches and right knee disorder are found to be related to service, while the skin disorder is also granted as it was incurred in service. The rating for gout of the bilateral feet remains at 10%.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection were remanded due to procedural issues, lack of updated pulmonary function tests, and the need for further development regarding lung cancer.

The claim for service connection for a neurological disorder, neck disability, bilateral leg disability, bilateral shoulder disability, chronic headaches, and psychiatric disability is denied.,The claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle disability, ethmoid sinusitis, frontal sinusitis, and headache. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in December 2015.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a right knee disability was denied as the new evidence did not provide a basis for reopening the claim.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for a skin disability was reopened due to the submission of voluminous VA treatment records that established the presence of a current skin disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for gastroenteritis, GERD, and headache disorder have been granted due to the submission of new and material evidence. The hearing loss and tinnitus claims remain denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and total hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy are all denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and anxiety disorder), a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, COPD and chronic bronchitis, migraine headaches, right elbow disorder, right shoulder disorder, right ear hearing loss, intermittent vertigo, intermittent hand tremors, and intermittent blackouts. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed stressors or a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased rating and TDIU due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of residuals from service-connected pneumococcal cerebral meningitis. Additional medical records are needed, including those from a VA Vet Center in Fort Myers, Florida.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary due to the need for further examination and review of records, particularly regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence regarding his service connection for Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, kidney stones, and liver condition. The claims will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.