Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for headaches is granted, and the cases of lumbosacral sprain, TBI, and PTSD are remanded due to worsening conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a spinal disability and residuals of a head injury, including TBI residuals and headaches due to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The claims are pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent for the entire appeal period, and a higher rating is denied.,A TDIU is granted based on service-connected disabilities preventing substantially gainful employment.,Compensable ratings are not assigned for chronic post-traumatic headaches, left shoulder disorder, or lumbar strain with radicular pain and minimal scoliosis. These issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder is remanded due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not necessitate the care or assistance of another person on a regular basis to assist him in activities of daily living, or to protect him from hazards or dangers of his daily environment.,His spouse’s need for regular aid and attendance of another was also denied as there is no evidence that she required such assistance due to her own service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as secondary to his grenade fragment wound. His erectile dysfunction is denied, and he receives a TDIU. The cervical spine disability and left neck muscle pain both receive initial increased ratings.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, traumatic brain injury, and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic headaches and respiratory disability due to insufficient evidence or need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development, including a need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's multiple sclerosis and any related symptoms. The AOJ must also consider whether separate ratings are warranted for each manifestation of the disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his chronic headache disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, right knee disorder, left knee disability, and lumbar spine disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

Service connection for headaches is denied.,Service connection for OSA is granted on a secondary basis to PTSD.,The effective date of service connection for PTSD is July 15, 2013.,The effective date of service connection for tinnitus is July 15, 2013.,The effective date of service connection for DMII with ED is November 15, 2012.,The effective date of service connection for PN of the bilateral lower extremities is September 12, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches and right knee strain are dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD is remanded.

The Veteran's asthma, lung cancer status post right lobectomy, sleep apnea, GERD, kidney disease, and headaches are all granted as service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected headaches, including the question of whether the reduction in rating from 10 to 0 percent was proper, is being remanded due to additional evidence not having been considered by the AOJ.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there was clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right knee disability, headaches, and depression have been denied.,A rating in excess of 60 percent for residuals of a total left knee replacement has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, obstructive sleep apnea, fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches are not supported by the evidence of record. The appeals are therefore remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for migraine headaches is granted. The claims to reopen for hypertension and status post right frontal hemorrhagic infarct are also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of headaches.,Service connection for depression was also denied, with the Board concluding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis and his symptoms began many years after separation from service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head contusion and left leg length discrepancy, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.