Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to cause his headaches and sleep issues. His PTSD also results in occupational and social impairment, warranting a TDIU determination.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, including difficulty swallowing due to Parkinson’s disease and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's increased ratings for migraine headaches and lumbar spine degenerative joint disease are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rhinitis, smell disturbance, taste disturbance, asbestosis, headaches, and liver disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to service.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches is granted, and a compensable rating for his TBI is denied. The right ankle disability claim is remanded, and the TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII) and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and dizziness, as well as limited use of the arms, hands, legs, and feet, has been denied.,Service connection was not granted because there is no current diagnosis of a disorder manifested by these symptoms.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is not service-connected as it pre-existed service and did not worsen during service.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not related to complaints of chronic back pain during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis is granted with an effective date of June 11, 2008. The Board also found that the earlier claim for a skin rash inherently included a claim for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is granted for a cervical spine disability, with the onset during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn and dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as aggravated by a service-connected disability (tinnitus). The claim for sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran's glaucoma of the left eye is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher rating or extraschedular consideration is warranted. The earlier effective date claims were also denied.

The Veteran's residuals of fracture of the third finger on the left hand are related to an in-service injury and have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have manifested during his active service, warranting service connection.,The Veteran's migraines are found to have manifested within one year of separation from active service, warranting service connection.,Right shoulder tendonitis is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.,Right knee strain is also remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.,An acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD and major depressive disorder) is remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its relation to the Veteran's service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for a 50% rating for headaches, SMC at the housebound rate, and TDIU. The earliest factually ascertainable date for the assignment of a 50% rating for headaches is May 13, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition has been reopened. The Board finds that an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the relationship between his service-connected right knee injury and his left knee condition, as well as a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected posttraumatic headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, unspecified depressive disorder, headaches, and sleep apnea as they are related to service.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on direct evidence of their onset during military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of TDIU, service connection for headaches, convulsions, and heart disability due to incomplete development. The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder with dysthymic disorder is also being considered as it may impact her TDIU claim.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical strain is granted as secondary to his headaches, and he is now receiving compensation for thoracolumbar spine arthritis. The initial evaluations for both conditions are granted at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to a lack of probative evidence showing she currently has this condition.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on her need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound, as there was no evidence indicating she required such assistance.

The Board denied service connection for headaches but reopened the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder). The Veteran's current psychiatric disability is related to his service, and he has a current headache condition. However, there is no medical evidence linking the current headache condition directly to service.