Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he withdrew his claims for increased rating for hemorrhoids and service connection for headaches before the decision could be finalized.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches and an increased rating for cervical spine annular disc tears at C4-C5 and C5-C6 are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent, the maximum for a condition that causes characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month. The Board found the symptoms do not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for various disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for bilateral hearing loss and left eye disability. The initial rating of PTSD prior to April 27, 2017, is granted at a 70% level. Other claims are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee, right ankle, left hip, low back strain, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and headaches conditions as they may be related to his service-connected flat feet condition.,For the heart condition claim, a new VA examination is required due to conflicting in-service medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and granted for cataracts due to diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that the Veteran's headache disability is related to his active service, but remanded other issues including sinusitis, emphysema, COPD, gallbladder condition, Crohn’s disease, pancreatitis, acid reflux, stroke residuals, arthritis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar and cervical spine, diabetic retinopathy, tinnitus, hypertension, peripheral vascular/arterial disease (PVD/PAD) of both lower extremities, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The effective date remains pending as the RO has not addressed this issue in its decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but an earlier effective date for PTSD remains denied.,Service connection for chronic fatigue, sleep apnea, headaches, and joint pain are all remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased rating for various conditions, including low back disability, right and left leg disabilities, OSA, heart condition, hypertension, headaches, insomnia, and psychotic disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for back, bilateral foot, right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disorders. Service connection was granted for PTSD with a rating of 70% effective September 7, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but service connection remains denied.,Service connection is denied for left shoulder arthritis and leg pain as these conditions are not related to active duty service or a service-connected disability.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. Service connection is also denied.,Headaches and PTSD are not etiologically related to the Veteran’s active duty service.,Service connection for depression has been granted with staged initial ratings from October 2, 2013.

The Veteran's surgical scars of the bilateral upper extremities are currently rated as noncompensable prior to January 20, 2016 and at a maximum of 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for her left shoulder disability (thoracic outlet syndrome) and entitlement to TDIU.,The Veteran's headache disability has been assigned a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent since the period on appeal began, based on very frequent prostrating attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for her left shoulder disability (thoracic outlet syndrome) and entitlement to TDIU.,The Veteran's left shoulder disability (thoracic outlet syndrome) has been rated as noncompensable since the period on appeal began. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for this condition, as well as entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete service treatment records, specifically those from February 2016 indicating they are in 'Oakland'. These records need to be obtained.

The Board denied service connection for chronic urinary tract disorder, migraine headaches, and a sleep disorder. The evidence did not support the presence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for narcolepsy, bilateral knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral wrist disability, depression, hypertension and abnormal heartbeat, left ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DJD of the low back was reopened and granted. However, his claim for service connection for a migraine disorder was denied.

Service connection is granted for irritable bowel syndrome. The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran's migraines are service-connected or aggravated by his PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted, but did not find sufficient medical opinion linking his conditions to in-service exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his headaches and psychiatric disorder, render him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, TDIU is granted.