Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected Major Depressive Disorder, Retrobulbar Neuritis of the Left Eye, and Migraine Headaches have been rated at 50%, 30%, and 30% respectively. The Board has granted a 70% rating for Major Depressive Disorder for the entire appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the Veteran to undergo VA examinations and for additional development of his claims, including for service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as claustrophobia), and residuals of a right hand laceration.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sinusitis and remands for further development on other issues including sleep apnea, tension headaches, and PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for fibromyalgia is granted. The claims for back disability, headache disability, memory loss, and speech disability are reopened.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at the highest schedular rating of 50 percent, effective June 27, 2018.,Prior to this date, the Veteran had a 30 percent rating from August 11, 2017 through June 26, 2018.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for TBI residuals with PTSD and migraine headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied, and his claim for service connection for diabetes secondary to hypertension was remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome and headaches related to Gulf War Syndrome is being remanded due to the need for further examination.,The Veteran's cervical and thoracic spine condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a lumbar spine disability, gastrointestinal disorder, headaches, sleep disorder, right foot numbness, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The VA is directed to obtain updated treatment records, verify periods of active duty, schedule examinations, and consider all relevant evidence in determining the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and lack of treatment records. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine if his migraine disability is related to service or environmental toxins.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headache and bilateral foot disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation of the origin and etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches, requiring further development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to March 29, 2011 for the grants of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support earlier effective dates. Service connection claims for laryngitis, sleep apnea, headaches, and a psychiatric disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left hand and/or right hand disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for dry eye syndrome and headaches have been granted, while her claim for anxiety disorder has also been granted. The rating for presbyopia is set at 10 percent, and the rating for cataracts remains unchanged.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's ocular migraine headaches, both for direct service connection and secondary to a service-connected right eye injury.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under applicable criteria.,PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent and a higher rating of 70 or 100 percent is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on PTSD alone.