Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, asthma, left wrist disability, and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment from December 1, 2011 through September 10, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted. The initial compensable rating claim for left ear hearing loss was denied. The issue of service connection for a left knee disability is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran. The issues of service connection for right ankle strain and low back disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2011 to February 3, 2013 was granted.

Service connection is granted for right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Service connection is remanded for sinusitis and headaches.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder, cervical spine disability, joint pain in the arms, dizziness, headaches, numbness of the upper extremities, sleep disorders, and chronic fatigue syndrome have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has granted service connection for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and a headache disorder, finding that these conditions are either caused or aggravated by service-connected tinnitus. Service connection was denied for right eye vision loss, sleep apnea, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headache disability has been reopened. A rating of 30 percent, but no higher, is granted for the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted a 50 percent rating, and other conditions are either denied or remanded for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic headaches. The Board found no nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service or his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, headache disability, hepatitis, vision disorder, lung disorder (asbestosis and mesothelioma), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) due to incomplete evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew all his appeals with the exception of a full grant of a 100 percent rating for cardiomyopathy. The other issues have not progressed further due to withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for PTSD, low back, double vision, disease of the nose, and migraine disorders due to failure to complete VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the PTSD claim.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent effective February 11, 2009.,The Veteran's upper respiratory infections with sinusitis are rated at 30 percent from April 25, 2017.

The Veteran's cluster headaches have been rated at 50 percent since March 28, 2016. The Board found that the evidence was approximately evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran’s headaches more closely approximated the criteria for a 50 percent rating prior to March 28, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a combined rating of 70 percent is denied as the December 2010 rating decision is final and the Veteran did not perfect his appeal with respect to the initial disability ratings assigned in that decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure, and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate condition was denied as there is no recognized disease associated with herbicide exposure, and the condition did not manifest during or within one year after service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted based on a currently diagnosed psychiatric disability that is presumed to be related to his military service due to Vietnam-era service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted as there is evidence suggesting the condition began in service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and major depressive disorder significantly impact his ability to work, resulting in a TDIU being granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand strain, thoracolumbar strain, bilateral knee strain, and migraine headaches due to incomplete medical records and unclear diagnoses.

The Board has remanded the case to determine if an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU is warranted based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his headaches and depression.