Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's laceration of the scalp, residuals of head injury, was restored to a prior rating of 10 percent effective July 11, 2013. A compensable increased rating for chronic paronychia of the fingers/fingernails was granted. The Veteran's TBI residuals including headaches were rated at 30 percent. The Veteran's PTSD with insomnia was denied an increased rating.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residual scar, left wrist ganglion, and his initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as the scars do not exceed 6 square inches or cause pain or instability, and his migraines are characterized by attacks occurring on average once per month.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea syndrome and headaches due to a lack of current diagnoses. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, endometriosis, pulmonary embolism (claimed as blood clots), an acquired psychiatric disorder, ulcers, hypertension, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to inextricably intertwined issues.,The Board also ordered a new VA examination to determine if any of the Veteran’s current acquired psychiatric diagnoses are related to service or if they are aggravated by her existing conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's former position as a computer programmer with an Associate degree education level is no longer suitable due to excessive absences from work and school caused by service-connected migraine headaches. The decision grants reentrance into the VR&E program.

The Veteran's recurrent nasal polyps and nosebleeds are granted service connection, as is his pseudotumor cerebri (or substantially similar disability). Headaches, dizziness/vertigo, vision problems, and tinnitus are also granted secondary to the pseudotumor cerebri. The maximum schedular rating for allergic rhinitis with nasal polyps is granted, and a TDIU due to persistent depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's PTSD warrants a 50 percent disability rating, but not higher. The appeal for increased ratings for sleep apnea and headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, reflux, residuals of anthrax vaccine, bilateral hearing loss disability, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability are all granted. The effective date is the date of receipt of the claim, December 20, 2012.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted. The skin disorder claim is remanded for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for a left eye condition and remanded the issue of service connection for a headache condition, as secondary to the Veteran's right eye condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to his eye disability, migraine headaches, knee disabilities, and cervical spine arthritis due to incomplete development of records and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and ratings have been denied. The claim for dry eye syndrome due to PRK surgery was not reopened, while the remaining issues were denied.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, sleep apnea, and a headache disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD). The Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition during or within one year after service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for pterygium of the eyes and headaches, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The reasons are that there may have been material changes in these conditions since the last examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines is denied as the evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one episode in 2 months over the last several months.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and remands several issues for further action.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and an initial compensable rating for tension headaches. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection due to the receipt of additional relevant medical and personnel records. The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, hysterectomy residuals, bladder disability, thyroid disability, right ankle disability, bilateral lower extremity neurological disability, left breast disability, skin disability, sleep disorder, memory loss, and swamp fever are now pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased saliva production and dry mouth, allergy symptoms, sleep apnea, hives (dry skin), restless leg syndrome, spasms and body jerks, sensitivity to smells and odors, photophobia, headaches, fatigue, vertigo and balance issues due to Gulf War Syndrome. The remand requires a new VA examination for PTSD and clarification of the Veteran's claimed stressor events.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for vertigo, traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, PTSD, and hypertension as secondary to PTSD due to insufficient notification.