Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from Vet Centers and SSA examination reports. The issues of higher staged initial ratings for PTSD and TDIU prior to February 10, 2014 are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied service connection for TMJ disorder and headaches as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.,The Veteran's bilateral visual field defects are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board notes that his vision is better than 20/40 in each eye and does not warrant a higher rating based on visual acuity alone, but the remaining visual fields do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.,The Veteran’s posterior head numbness residuals are currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that an examination is necessary to determine if there is any compensable symptomatology or impairment due to this condition.,The Veteran's right temporal/occipital stroke residuals are currently rated as 0 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to assess these residuals separately from his service-connected basilar tip aneurysm symptoms.,The Veteran’s TDIU rating claim is remanded due to its inextricability with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia was denied as her condition is not etiologically related to any in-service incurrence. The Board also granted a TDIU prior to July 8, 2014 due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities causing unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left knee and foot disabilities, right knee disability, arteriosclerotic heart disease, hypertension, chronic liver disease, pancreatitis, atherosclerotic renal disease (chronic kidney disease), diabetes mellitus type II, psychiatric disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea. The decision was based on the absence of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding various service-connected disabilities, as well as for additional records to be obtained. The claims are not related to a specific exposure basis or the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraines and TDIU due to outstanding VA treatment records, additional evidence submission, and further development of employment history.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of an October 2016 VA examination and a need for deck log research. The Veteran's claims are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The issue of entitlement to a higher rating for irritable bowel syndrome remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including low back disorder and headaches. The initial evaluation for non-active conjunctivitis with pinguecula and bilateral dry eye syndrome is also being remanded. The effective dates for PTSD are also being remanded.

The Veteran received the correct amount of retroactive payment for his increased combined disability rating from September 24, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not found to be related to service.,His lumbar spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, cardiomyopathy, hair loss, headache disorder, and COPD were also not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for right elbow disability was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision.,There is no evidence of a current disability manifested by muscle spasms or bilateral hip disability. The Veteran has not been shown to have these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches, abnormal menstrual cycle as secondary to gynecological disability, and increased rating for sinusitis are granted. Service connection for nausea is denied. The Veteran's hypertension is not service connected.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran will need to provide updated VA treatment records, VistA Imaging records, and information regarding his in-service stressors. He will also be provided with VA examinations for his lumbar spine disability, sleep disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and bipolar disorder), nasal polyps, and chronic sinus headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, as well as a retrospective medical opinion regarding her ability to work prior to July 2, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability, and sleep disorder as the evidence did not show a nexus to active military service.

The Veteran's glaucoma is granted as service-connected, subject to the laws that govern the payment of monetary benefits.,An initial evaluation of 10 percent for right knee internal derangement status post medial meniscal tear is granted, subject to the laws that govern the payment of monetary benefits.,A non-compensable evaluation for left knee degenerative joint disease is denied.,An initial evaluation of 30 percent prior to November 16, 2017, and 50 percent thereafter, but no higher, for service-connected migraine headaches is granted, subject to the laws that govern the payment of monetary benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current migraine disorder is at least as likely as not related to her service, thus granting service connection for this condition.