Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and new/changed basis claims have been denied. His bilateral hearing loss is not compensably rated, his acquired psychiatric disorder claim has no current evidence of service connection, and his right shoulder, left shoulder, headaches, and respiratory condition claims are all denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for headaches, which may be related to service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for tension headaches and for TDIU due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury and migraine headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with alcohol dependence is associated with his current headaches, which are now rated at the highest possible disability rating (100%).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention or treatment related to this condition.,Service connection for a back condition, secondary to a left knee condition, was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim remains denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied as there is no evidence showing that the condition occurred during or within one year after service.,Service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention of this condition.,Service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy was denied as there is no evidence showing a current disability and the STRs are negative for any mention of this condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction was denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of an in-person examination for the Veteran's claimed residuals from his right eye cataract surgery and corectopia repair. The Veteran is requested to provide updated private records, and VA medical records are to be associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a migraine headache disability is denied as there was no increase in the condition within one year prior to the date of receipt of the claim.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's disabilities have reportedly worsened since his last examination in June 2015.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to her service-connected fibromyalgia and muscle tension headaches. The Veteran's TDIU claim from February 24, 2012 to 2015 was denied due to her current employment.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for a low back condition secondary to residuals of fracture, right first cuneiform due to lack of new and material evidence.,The Board also denied reopening the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder and PTSD) and memory loss and lack of concentration associated with undiagnosed illness manifested by tension headaches.

The Veteran's claim for migraines is granted with an effective date of October 19, 2010.,The Veteran's claims for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are granted with a combined effective date of October 19, 2010. The rating assigned is 30 percent for vertigo, 10 percent for tinnitus, and no rating for bilateral hearing loss.,Service connection for PTSD is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines is denied.,TDIU prior to November 10, 2010 is granted with an effective date of October 19, 2010.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is denied.,Service connection for alcohol abuse is denied.,Service connection for multiple sclerosis is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,Service connection for Sjogren’s syndrome is denied.,Service connection for Hughes disease is denied.,Service connection for seizures is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches with visual aura are currently assigned a noncompensable disability rating. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a headache disorder and cognitive disorder with memory loss have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, further examination is needed as the current VA examination report does not address her symptoms or provide an opinion on their etiology.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, but has remanded them due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's post-concussive headaches were previously rated at 50% and reduced to noncompensable effective August 1, 2016. The Board has restored the 50% rating as of that date.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating greater than 70 percent for major depressive disorder was denied. The claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, all other conditions, and effective dates. The Veteran's claims were not granted.