Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and unspecified depressive disorder (UDD) have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent bronchitis, sleep disorder (insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea), eustachian tube dysfunction, chills, immune system disorder, and headache disorder have all been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that they are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome. Service connection for dizziness was denied as there is no current diagnosis of dizziness separate from the Veteran's migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and seizure disorder due to lack of records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches, but has remanded both issues to obtain further development.

The Veteran's seasonal rhinitis is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's shin splints are denied as not having been diagnosed during the appeal period.,The claim for reopening of kidney stones was dismissed as moot due to the grant of service connection for IBS and GERD.,Service connection for pes planus is severed, effective December 1, 2016.,The right eye injury rating decision from December 2004 does not contain clear and unmistakable error.,The earlier effective date for PTSD in May 2013 rating decision does not contain clear and unmistakable error.,An initial rating of 50 percent is granted for PTSD from April 30, 2009 through October 25, 2017.,An initial rating of 70 percent is denied for PTSD since October 26, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including personality disorder, depression, and PTSD due to insufficient evidence or conflicting opinions regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's headache disorder, bulimia nervosa, and panic disorder with agoraphobia are all granted service connection. The rating for the psychiatric condition is set at 50 percent from May 23, 2010 to September 24, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status is denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of service connection for a neck disability is not fully addressed by the current medical evidence and requires additional examination to determine if his current neck disabilities are related to an in-service car accident.

The Board has remanded the claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability and special monthly compensation due to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with PTSD, as these issues may affect his eligibility for special monthly compensation benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, dementia pugilistica, and acquired psychiatric disorders are granted. Service connection is denied for neck disability, right ear hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition and headache condition are not service-connected. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral otitis media, tinnitus, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety), tinea, verruca vulgaris with angiokeratoma, respiratory condition, and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to inadequate previous examinations. The claims for right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities are being remanded because new opinions are needed. Other claims such as joint pain, cough, GERD, headaches, nerve disability, PTSD with depression, erectile dysfunction, and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for a right leg disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, bilateral lung disorder, throat cancer, liver disorder, and bladder disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined with whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and sinusitis with associated headaches and allergies have been reopened. The claim for service connection for the low back disability is denied, while the claim for service connection for sinusitis with associated headaches and allergies is granted.

Service connection is granted for bilateral shoulder conditions, low back condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as neck condition), head injury, and headache condition.,Service connection is granted for a low back condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, chronic atrial fibrillation, hypertension, low back disorder, and prostate cancer. The appeals for headaches with loss of balance, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are being remanded.,Service connection was not granted for any of the conditions listed in the decision.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, GERD, headaches (including migraines), hypertension, TBI residuals, seizures, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right and left shoulder disorders, right and left wrist disorders, elbow bursitis, bilateral hand disorder, knee disorders, eye disorder, sinus disorder with nose bleeds, and face trauma have all been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not met the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent.