Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, to include bipolar disorder, is granted. The claims for service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for pain and weakness in the arms, headaches, and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo on the right side (also claimed as dizziness) due to evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches has been granted, and the issues of service connection for sleep apnea and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including muscle pain due to an undiagnosed disorder, left Achilles sprain, chronic fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness, respiratory disorder, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal symptoms, erectile dysfunction, neuropsychological symptoms, headaches, neurological condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness characterized as fibromyalgia is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5025. No separate ratings are warranted for irritable bowel syndrome or headaches.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% since January 3, 2010. The Board also granted TDIU beginning on that date due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a 30 percent disability rating from June 18, 2014 to July 6, 2015. The Board found the evidence did not support a higher rating as the Veteran’s headaches were characterized by prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over several months.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The claim for a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction remains denied.

The Veteran's kidney cysts are related to his military service and specifically Gulf War Syndrome.,The Veteran's right knee disability is related to service or a service-connected foot condition.,The Veteran's left elbow disability (tendonitis) is related to service.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is related to service and his service-connected feet.,The Veteran's lung disability is not likely due to environmental exposure in Southwest Asia, but may be related to Gulf War Syndrome or undiagnosed illness.,The Veteran's headaches are of unknown etiology, possibly related to chemical exposure in service.,The Veteran's disability of the left upper extremity (intermittent numbness) is related to a military injury and/or his service-connected feet.,The Veteran's disability of the right upper extremity (intermittent numbness) is related to a military injury and/or his service-connected feet.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right eye injury with choroidal rupture and sphincter tear was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The case is also remanded for further action on the issues of entitlement to an increased evaluation for post-traumatic headaches, including extraschedular consideration, and for an effective date prior to February 28, 2011 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the reduction of his disability rating for TBI from 40 percent to non-compensable was not proper, and the 40 percent rating is restored. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, seizure disorder with narcolepsy (as a residual of TBI), left upper extremity weakness, left lower extremity weakness, left hip disability as a residual of TBI, visual field defects due to status post craniotomy for subdural hematoma, and post-concussive headaches and localized neuritic head pain associated with TBI are all rated based on their individual merits.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and major depressive disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for further medical examination and evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right leg disability and granted TDIU based on his multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection for various conditions and a separate rating for right hand scars.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, but no more.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine, right ankle, left shoulder, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, left ankle, ingrown toenail, and headaches. The claims were reopened due to new evidence related to a left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, and chest pain are granted. The claim for a higher rating for her keloid scar is also granted to 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for pneumonia or residuals of pneumonia and granted service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches as there was no evidence of such condition during or within one year after service, and the Veteran's statements regarding onset were not credible.