Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and headaches, as well as his TDIU claim due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction due to withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.,The Veteran’s adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of torn muscles, left and right biceps, heart disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), left shoulder impingement syndrome, and headaches as a residual of a concussion have been dismissed. The remaining issues of service connection for cervical spine condition, right knee condition, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and psychiatric disorder are being remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected, and an earlier effective date of June 1, 2016 for the increased rating of anxiety is granted.,From June 1, 2016, the Veteran receives a 100 percent disability rating for his service-connected anxiety. He also qualifies for SMC based on statutory housebound status during the entire appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea secondary to panic disorder with agoraphobia and hypertension, was granted. The appeals for the remaining issues were either denied or remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, TBI and its residuals, and a headache disability should be remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his service-connected pars planitis, and the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and anxiety/depression have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection of migraines was granted, and they were also granted service connection for right foot mild arthritis. The issue of whether the right foot disability is related to the service-connected right knee disability remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been dismissed due to their death.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for migraines prior to July 21, 2014.

The Board has decided that the appellant does not have a bilateral hearing loss disability for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for perforation of the left eardrum, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headaches. The reasons include a lack of current diagnoses or history of these conditions during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD, finding that there is a link between his PTSD and the development of these headaches.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for January 18, 2013 were denied as the treatment was not in an emergency situation and VA facilities were feasibly available.

Major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension and migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,An increased rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus is denied. An effective date prior to September 8, 2013 for service connection for tinnitus is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of June 27, 2011 for the grant of service connection of vascular headaches has been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for global encephalitis from June 27, 2011 to March 13, 2019 was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the existence and etiology of a right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, back disorder, and headaches. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected migraine headaches, traumatic brain injury residuals, and right eye disability. The examiner should also consider their combined effect on his employability.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating prior to March 15, 2018, and remains at a 70 percent disability rating thereafter.