Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims due to additional development being required, including consideration of new VA treatment and examination records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a migraine or tension headache disability is reopened due to new and material evidence. The claim for TDIU remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of obstructive sleep apnea and a headache condition for further development. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed to determine if there is sufficient evidence to establish service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been reopened and granted. The Board found that new evidence supports the reopening of the claim, but denied service connection due to lack of a nexus between current tinnitus and active service. The Veteran is not entitled to SMC based on need for aid and attendance or automobile/adaptive equipment benefits.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling, effective October 17, 2016. The Veteran’s PTSD and migraine headaches are both rated as noncompensable prior to October 17, 2016, but a rating in excess of 30 percent for his migraine headaches is remanded.,The Veteran's left shoulder tendonitis was initially rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran’s appeal for an increased rating remains pending and the RO must consider all evidence since the January 2017 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings on several service-connected conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Veteran reported being substantially and gainfully employed, so he cannot be granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective from the date of this decision. The other claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address certain evidence. The case will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting statements in a 2013 VA examination report regarding the frequency of the Veteran's headaches. The case is now pending for further development and clarification.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s headaches were not productive of severe economic inadaptability, and thus did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of headaches is related to his military service due to combat exposure.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral gout of the feet and sleep disability (insomnia) as these conditions are not related to military service.,Service connection was also denied for left and right knee disability, heart disability (stents in heart), hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's head scar, finding that there was no material improvement in his condition and that the reduction was improper.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at 30%, with very frequent but not completely prostrating attacks. The Board found this to be insufficient for a higher rating.,A new VA examination is required for the left knee condition due to inadequate previous examinations, as per Correia v. McDonald (2016).,The Veteran's PTSD and TBI are rated at 50%, with very frequent but not completely prostrating attacks. The Board found this to be insufficient for a higher rating.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia and cervicogenic headaches have been granted initial ratings of 30 percent each, effective from October 2, 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, bilateral hip disability, bilateral shoulder avascular necrosis, tinnitus, sleep disorder, and headache disability.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection as secondary to his mood disorder. His lightheadedness is not a separate diagnosis but rather a symptom of the medication he takes for his mood disorder. An initial 40 percent rating is granted for his lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a chronic headache disorder, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are all granted. The headaches were incurred in service, hypertension is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and the gastrointestinal disorder was also not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and service-connected burial benefits, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, PTSD, and evaluations in excess of 10 percent and 30 percent for allergic rhinitis and headaches with dizziness, respectively. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of a low back disability or PTSD, and that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his allergic rhinitis or headaches with dizziness.