Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for an undiagnosed illness, a left foot disability, and headaches are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the existing records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and complete further development of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines prior to July 31, 2018 was denied.,A 50 percent rating for migraines from July 31, 2018 through December 19, 2018 was granted.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines after December 19, 2018 was denied.,Service connection for PTSD was not established prior to April 28, 2014 and a 70 percent rating has been granted since then.,Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was granted.,Service connection for TBI and CFS were both denied.,Service connection for a disorder manifested by radiation exposure was also denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent from February 27, 2011 to July 2, 2013. The Board found that his disability met or approximated the criteria for a 10 percent rating during this period but denied any higher ratings due to lack of evidence showing specific functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further medical examinations. The issues include PTSD, migraine headaches, eye conditions, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for concussion and TBI were denied in March 1971, and his claim for migraine headaches was not granted until March 24, 2011. The decision is final as the Veteran did not appeal within one year of notice.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, effective March 12, 2015.,Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and a respiratory disability were denied.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for cervical and lumbosacral strains are inadequate, and additional examinations are needed. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded due to outstanding records and potential consideration of other applicable Codes.

The rating reduction from 10 percent to noncompensable for migraine headaches effective September 13, 2014 was improper and the 10 percent rating is restored. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is remanded. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability is also remanded.

The Veteran's headaches have been granted service connection, but the current noncompensable rating is being remanded for additional development to consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inconsistencies in medical records regarding the Veteran's headaches and psychiatric conditions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be significantly impacted by the service connection determinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for his lumbar spine disability prior to June 1, 2018 is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, upper airway resistance syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and post-traumatic headaches with photosensitivity are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded a non-compensable rating for his GERD.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of any back disability, thoracic neuritis, left and right knee disabilities, sinus headaches, and major depressive disorder with social anxiety. The effective date for service connection will be determined based on the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and gastrointestinal disability (including gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastroenteritis) are remanded due to the need for VA examinations and opinions under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded due to the need for VA examination and opinion under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches are remanded due to the need for VA examination and opinion under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicocele is remanded due to the need for VA examination and opinion under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for testicular cyst is remanded due to the need for VA examination and opinion under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for headaches due to in-service exposure, Gulf War illness, or sleep apnea. The case is being sent back for additional medical opinions and evidence collection.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's right femur disability, tension headaches, and TDIU prior to May 23, 2016.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and asthma have been granted. The claim for a higher rating for tension headaches has been denied. The claims for evaluations greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and lumbar spine are remanded. Service connection for asthma is also remanded.

The Board has determined that new evidence was submitted after the prior final denials of service connection for sleep apnea and tension headache, warranting readjudication.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, rendering the appeal moot.,The Veteran withdrew his appeals on multiple other issues.