Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and vertigo with dizziness and balance problems as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the reduction of SMC payments from the aid and attendance rate to the housebound rate due to hospitalization at government expense was proper, thus denying the appeal for restoration of SMC payments.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of in-service records related to the Veteran's seizures and headaches, which may be linked to an in-service head injury. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical evidence from his service period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI residuals, including posttraumatic headaches, is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the initial examination conducted by a primary care physician. A new VA examination with a psychiatrist, physiatrist, neurosurgeon, or neurologist must be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting medical evidence regarding her diagnoses and a need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for a service-connected left arm abscess was denied. The RO granted service connection for the condition but assigned a non-compensable rating.,Service connection was also denied for right hand tremors, left hand tremors, squamous cell carcinoma, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's headaches and sleep apnea were found to have onset during service, warranting direct service connection. Service connection for fibromyalgia was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected seizure disorder rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment from December 28, 2010, to March 28, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, a sleep disorder (including an acquired psychiatric disorder), and right shoulder pain were denied. The claim for migraine headaches was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for a sleep disorder was reopened but still denied as there is no link between the condition and service. Right shoulder pain was also denied as it did not arise during service or be related to service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 8100, due to very frequent and prolonged attacks causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder disorder is denied. The Veteran's migraines are granted as related to service. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and sinus tachycardia (heart rate) do not meet the criteria for initial compensable ratings. The Veteran's right knee disorder is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for service-connected post-concussive headaches and PTSD with major depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues currently before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cervical spine disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied because he failed to complete and return the VA Form 21-8940, which is required to substantiate his unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for migraine headaches was denied, and her service connection claim for hyperthyroidism was remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's claim for headaches was granted as the evidence is in equipoise.

The Board is remanding the claims for service connection and initial ratings for various conditions due to additional VA outpatient medical records being added to the file since the last adjudications in March 2015. These records are pertinent to all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, headaches, PTSD, and left testicular torsion are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and bilateral tinnitus have been granted service connection. The Board has found that the Veteran does not currently have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, stomach/back skin rash, hair loss, recurrent tension headaches, and occasional sleep problems is remanded due to lack of medical evidence.