Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Sleep Disorder have been dismissed.,Service connection has not been granted for ITP, Crohn’s Disease, Spleen Removal, GERD, or Headaches.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, left lower extremity radiculopathy at 20 percent since January 31, 2019, and intermittent vertigo at 30 percent. The claims for increased ratings are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection and increased ratings for cervical spine disability, major depressive disorder (MDD), post concussive headaches, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to procedural defects and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected head injury, residual scar of the right parietal scalp and headaches have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied a higher evaluation for both conditions.

The Veteran's combined disability rating of 90 percent from June 18, 2015 is denied. The Board finds the Regional Office properly calculated the Veteran’s combined rating, which is now 80 percent effective June 18, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and headache disability due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's TBI is also being evaluated further.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and bipolar disorder), and headaches. Service connection was denied for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including those related to undiagnosed illnesses from Southwest Asia service, have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding of qualifying chronic disability due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and headaches are found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Board also finds that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, warranting a TDIU from March 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to additional relevant VA treatment records being added to her claims file.

The Board has restored a 50% rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches effective April 1, 2018 as the reduction from 50% to 30% was improper.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The issues include upper back strain, tinnitus, and a headache disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board found that the GERD was not shown as chronic in service, did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period, continuity of symptomatology is not established, and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for tension headaches prior to June 1, 2010 and TDIU (Individual Unemployability) prior to June 7, 2014. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is still pending as it was part of an underlying lumbar spine increased rating claim.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective prior to March 5, 2018. Service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to PTSD has been granted. However, the claim for sleep apnea remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder are found to be related to his current headaches. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is assigned the minimum noncompensable rating due to the nature of the disability. A higher rating for tinnitus is not granted, and a higher rating for major depressive disorder is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for dependency benefits for his daughter, S.D., is remanded due to the inextricability of this matter with other claims involving disability ratings and service connection. The claims will be adjudicated together.