Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for hypertension, migraine headaches (secondary to chronic sinusitis), and bilateral foot tinea pedis require additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing records.

The Veteran's sinusitis and headaches have been granted service connection. However, the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all issues, including the claims for higher ratings for various conditions and a TDIU. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot condition, left foot disability, PTSD, and TDIU was granted. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70% prior to January 13, 2017, and 100% from that date.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, as COPD and other conditions were ruled out. The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran’s heart disability to his service or any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for epilepsy was granted, and he is now service-connected for epilepsy.,The Veteran's dizziness and weakness are secondary to his service-connected epilepsy, and he is now service-connected for this condition as well.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a headache disorder as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient opinions regarding causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as they do not result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right shoulder disabilities, hearing loss in the right ear, asthma, ischemic heart disease, headaches, PTSD, and depression have been denied. The decision also includes remanded issues such as sleep apnea and high blood pressure.

The Veteran's tension headaches were granted service connection. The Board also found that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran’s gastrointestinal and memory loss disabilities are related to his military service.,The Veteran was not diagnosed with any gastrointestinal or memory loss disabilities during VA examinations, but he has alleged continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of traumatic brain injury, including migraines and cognitive/behavioral impairments, are rated at 100% effective from August 26, 2010. The appeal is granted for these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with persistent depressive disorder and alcohol and drug use disorder, as well as for an earlier effective date than August 9, 2013.

The appeal to reopen service connection for PTSD was granted, along with other claims related to various disabilities. The effective date remains pending as it is not specified in the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's acquired psychological disability, including major depressive disorder and panic disorder, was granted service connection. The right toe disability and left hand finger disabilities were denied as not related to military service.,Service connection for vertigo was denied due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of increased rating for headaches and service connection for vision impairment.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: the claim for service connection for a right hip condition and the issue of evaluating the Veteran's migraines. The decision is based on the need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's respiratory disorders and other conditions, including back, neck, and headache disorders. The Veteran is not service-connected for these conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches are currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent. The Board has determined that his symptoms more closely approximate a 50 percent disability rating, but does not warrant an increase to higher ratings.