Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's brain tumor, headaches, depression, sleep disorder (insomnia), and seizure disorder are all granted service connection as secondary to the primary condition of a brain tumor. The Veteran also has service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's request to reopen her service connection claim for hysterectomy due to uterine fibroids and pelvic inflammatory disease is denied. Her request to reopen her service connection claim for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder is granted. The Veteran's request to reopen her service connection claim for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for migraines and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and examination.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective August 22, 2013, based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's upper and lower back disabilities, as well as his heart attack and migraines, are currently rated at the lowest possible level (10 percent) due to their limited functional impairment.,His hypothyroidism is not rated higher because it does not cause significant symptoms.

The Veteran's tension migraine headaches are rated as 50 percent disabling, effective September 21, 2018. Effective January 24, 2014, the Veteran is also granted SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected PTSD and additional disabilities with a combined rating of 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and headaches. The appeals are based on direct evidence of in-service injury and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected tinnitus, anxiety disorder, or are symptoms of those conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected unspecified anxiety disorder is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board also granted TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the revised Schedule for Rating Skin Disabilities.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 50 percent and no higher due to the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's syncope and headaches were not incurred in service, did not manifest within one year of service, and do not otherwise relate to service or a service-connected disability. The claims are denied.

This decision denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims of residuals to a head injury, including headaches, memory loss, and cerebral atrophy, as well as sinusitis secondary to deformity of the nose are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for cervical spine injury, headaches, lower back/spine condition, left hip condition, and right and left ankle disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The effective date of service connection remains unknown as no new evidence was received.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable colon syndrome, essential tremors (claimed as tremors and whole-body shakes), a disability manifested by insomnia, headaches, weakness of the peripheral nerves, COPD, and GERD. Service connection was denied for all these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities, as well as headaches beginning October 23, 2008. Additional development is needed to ensure all necessary findings are made.

The Veteran's headaches are considered to have started during his service in Iraq, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for CUE in the November 1948 rating decision and for effective dates prior to February 27, 2009. The remaining claims are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a higher evaluation for peripheral vestibular disorder. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

Service connection for sleep apnea is denied. A 30 percent rating, but no higher, for migraine headaches throughout the appeal period is granted. Increased ratings for bilateral keratoconus are denied.

Effective August 13, 2013, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent disabling. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from the date of claim (August 13, 2014).