Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for blurred vision, bilateral hearing loss, dizziness, inhalation injury, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, left knee disability, right knee disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, GERD, status post excision benign skin mass on the right wrist with residual scar, headache disability, left cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome, right cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and PTSD have all been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals by the Veteran.,The Veteran's appeals for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches, specifically in-service exposure and service connection.

The Veteran's TBI with headaches is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine if his disability has worsened.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic headaches have increased in frequency and severity since his last VA examination. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including headaches and diabetes mellitus, type II, were denied. The claim for headaches was denied as the preexisting condition did not worsen during service.,The initial rating for diabetes mellitus, type II, prior to May 14, 2014, was also denied.

Service connection granted for OSA, DVT, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (Persistent Depressive Disorder). Service connection denied for ED.,Effective date of service connection is July 24, 2014.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches was granted, effective September 1, 2009. A subsequent increase to 50 percent was denied.,A compensable rating (10%) for left ulnar nerve compression neuropathy was granted beginning September 1, 2009, and a higher rating (20%) was granted beginning December 4, 2017.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his bilateral hearing loss and to obtain any outstanding records. The issues of TDIU, increased rating for IBS, service connection for muscle pain, urinary tract infections, skin rashes, joint pain, and migraine headaches are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected orthostatic intolerance/postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (COI/POTS) and related conditions have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his headache disability has been denied, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU is also pending. The Board finds that these issues are not yet ready for appellate consideration due to new evidence added to the claims file without a waiver of AOJ consideration.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Headaches have been granted. The conditions are considered presumptively related to service due to the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's dysequilibrium, status post carotid artery dissection (claimed as dizziness secondary to TBI), is not related to his service-connected TBI or any in-service incurrence.,There is no evidence of hypertension that is secondary to the service-connected TBI.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, and gastroesophageal reflux disease are all granted as service connected due to their onset within one year of separation from service or presumed due to Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 30 percent rating from May 6, 2014 to September 2, 2015. Service connection for low back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines and an acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and PTSD) were denied. The rating for migraines remains at 30 percent, while the rating for the psychiatric disorder is also at 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's current headache disability and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's hypertension and migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for sinusitis, chronic bronchitis, and COPD is remanded due to lack of medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's foot disability, low back disability, and headaches. The Veteran is presumed to have been in sound condition upon entry into service.