Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and denied an increased rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran's left knee condition was not found to be related to her military service, and the Board determined that the evidence did not show severe economic inadaptability due to migraines.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected. The Veteran was granted a 10% disability rating for his migraine headache disability and a 50% disability rating for his bilateral pes planus from October 1, 2012, through March 16, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's symptoms related to his claimed conditions have not been evaluated in a recent VA examination, so additional examinations are needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of sleep apnea due to new evidence submitted since the final October 2012 decision.,The earlier effective date claim for migraines is dismissed as it violates the rule of finality and cannot be a free-standing claim without making a CUE argument.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at 30 percent since March 1, 2009. The Board has granted this rating as the evidence does not support a higher rating and the effective date is proper.

The Board denied service connection for IBS as secondary to major depressive disorder and granted a 50% rating for post-traumatic vascular headaches, finding the Veteran's headaches were productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if she needs the aid and attendance of another person or is housebound due to her service-connected disabilities, including abdominal hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, migraine headaches, bronchial asthma, hallux valgus of both feet, and residual burns.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination and opinion regarding whether hypertension is secondary to service-connected disabilities, specifically ischemic heart disease, PTSD, diabetes, hearing loss and tinnitus, or chronic migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorders, headache disorder, right ear hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS (rhegulopathy), left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left ear hearing loss have all been denied. The Board found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability has been reopened and granted, with an initial evaluation of 70 percent effective August 4, 2011.,Service connection for head injury with headaches was denied as new and material evidence did not relate the condition to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and migraine headaches. The claims for service connection are not decided at this time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral leg cramps and pain, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), sinus disorder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), menstrual disorder, headaches, sleep disorder, and memory loss. The reasons include a lack of nexus opinions due to missing VA examinations and conflicting evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability, amoebic dysentery, skin disability, and migraine headaches due to incomplete records and lack of VA examinations. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents in service.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand injury residuals are rated at 30 percent, and his headaches are also rated at 30 percent. The decision grants the higher rating for both conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for assignment of a TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, right knee disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, fungal infections of the feet, migraine headaches, and a disability manifested by insomnia. The decision states that there is no evidence of exposure to herbicide agents during service and thus no presumption applies.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, spine disability, and chronic headaches have been granted. However, the rating assigned is not specified, nor is the effective date provided.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, including a VA examination report. The claims will be reconsidered with consideration of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.