Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include psychiatric disorders, headache disorder, and arthritis of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's depression was caused or aggravated by her service-connected migraine headaches, and thus grants service connection for depression as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for headaches and GERD are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder is granted a 20 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s posttraumatic headaches are granted a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran’s cervical spine disability is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran’s left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy are both granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher. The Veteran's thoracic spine degenerative disc disease is denied any increase in rating. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied any increase in rating. A total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted from September 18, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to new evidence received since his last denial.

From July 28, 2009, through April 3, 2014, the Veteran's PTSD was granted an increased rating to 70 percent.,On and after April 4, 2014, a higher rating for PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left wrist status post-surgery, to include malalignment and left wrist osteoarthritis distal radius ulnar joint with ulnar minus 6 mm, was denied as the evidence did not show that VA treatment caused his additional disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected traumatic brain injury, was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted. The rating for asthma was denied prior to November 26, 2012 and granted from that date onwards. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is denied.,Prior to February 1, 2016, the Veteran's TBI residuals are not manifested by any residuals of cognitive, emotional/behavioral, or physical impairment which were not already contemplated in separate ratings assigned for other conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of low back pain, DMII, blurred vision secondary to DMII, hypertension secondary to DMII, erectile dysfunction secondary to DMII, nocturia secondary to DMII, and migraines. The right ankle disability was also denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability. The TDIU issue is also being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at the highest possible level (50%) throughout the period on appeal, effective March 30, 2007.,Service connection for facial nerve damage is granted with an effective date of March 30, 2007.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 10 percent disability rating. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms of recurrent epigastric distress with dysphagia and regurgitation meet the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating, but not higher due to lack of considerable impairment of health. Service connection for cervical spine disability and headaches is remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as the Veteran died during the appeal process and thus, does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the claims.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA opinions regarding the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches was granted, with a 30% rating effective October 5, 2017. Prior to this date, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for any compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is being remanded to allow for this process.

The Veteran's prostate condition, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, and headaches are all denied service connection. The claims for these conditions have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to outstanding SSA records and for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for kidney disease/condition due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. However, the Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, enlarged prostate with urinary incontinence, erectile dysfunction, and blurred vision are not related to his military service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.