Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge was upgraded to under honorable conditions (general), thus removing any bar to VA benefits. The underlying merits of the service connection claims will now be adjudicated.

Service connection for headaches has been granted. The Veteran's tinnitus is already at the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and effective dates earlier than November 8, 2013, for service connection for tinnitus and hiatal hernia have all been denied. The Veteran has also had his claim for a compensable evaluation for hiatal hernia and residual scars remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, acquired psychiatric condition (to include bipolar disorder and depression), sleep apnea, and multiple noncompensable disabilities prior to November 8, 2013 have all been remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, depressive disorder, and tension headaches are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. However, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service records from his Air Force Reserves.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), and headaches as secondary to PTSD. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is now rated at 30 percent, effective September 12, 2018. The rating takes into account the current functional limitations and medical evidence provided.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right ear hearing loss disability and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The issues of service connection for chest pain, headaches, and torn labrum left shoulder are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection is remanded for bilateral hearing loss and a headache disorder.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for headaches is denied, and his increased evaluation in excess of 30% for IBS and GERD, including entitlement to separate evaluations, is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen her claim for glaucoma, and the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that she has generalized arthritis or any other claimed condition due to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and pharyngitis was withdrawn by the Veteran. The claims of service connection for ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, retroverted uterus, infertility, menstrual disability, anemia, and headaches were denied as they are not related to her period of active duty.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a headache disorder, low back disorder, left ankle disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's essential tremor is granted as service connected due to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims for headaches and TBI are remanded.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, residuals of a laceration and injury to the head, and migraines. The remaining claims will be adjudicated after these are resolved.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his posttraumatic migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further review.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and requests that additional records be obtained from various VA facilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a separate rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches, finding that his initial claim was implicitly denied in a December 2009 decision.

The Veteran's NOD to the September 2013 rating decision was not timely filed, and her claims for increased rating for migraine headaches and service connection for respiratory/pulmonary condition, residuals of hysterectomy, and PTSD were denied.