Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and record development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of pneumonia, pleural scarring in lungs and bacterial lung infection has been denied. The Board found that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of pleural scarring or a relationship between the Veteran's current respiratory condition and his in-service pneumonia.

The Board has found that the VA examinations are incomplete and requires a new examination to obtain adequate etiological opinions for the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues except bilateral foot and toenail fungus is dismissed. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's chronic tension headaches have been granted a 50% rating effective October 30, 2014. Prior to this date, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection, but his headaches and knee disabilities were denied initial ratings. The issue of TDIU has been raised as part of the increased rating claims.

The Board has denied a rating greater than the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent for irritable colon syndrome.,The Board has remanded issues related to chronic fatigue, chronic sinusitis, general allergies, breathing problems, sleep disturbances, functional dyspepsia, and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded by the Board. The issues include high blood pressure, tinnitus, migraine headaches, seizure disability, hallux valgus (left foot), and adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The rating for mood disorder with depressive features was restored from noncompensable to 50 percent effective May 1, 2013. Service connection was granted for sleep apnea and headaches but denied for high cholesterol and elevated liver enzymes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for headaches and a higher disability rating for cervical myositis.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and he has been granted a TDIU rating due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found the evidence does not support a higher rating for PTSD or an increased rating for other conditions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's prior 100% rating for IgA nephropathy and nephrotic syndrome with hypertension, hematuria, and headaches, status post right kidney transplant from August 1, 2013.

The Veteran's costochondritis has been granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher.,The Veteran’s bilateral hallux valgus is not rated as equivalent to amputation and thus does not warrant a compensable rating.,The Veteran’s migraines are currently evaluated at non-compensable (zero percent) due to the frequency of attacks.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal. The claims were not substantiated.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle injury, left leg condition, and head trauma with migraines are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence that was not previously considered.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Veteran's hemorrhoids do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to November 3, 2014.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for gout is denied.,The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and headaches are granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and granted them. The claims for back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability were not reopened.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.,The scars from meningitis are currently rated at 10 percent and no higher rating is granted as they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tension headaches are related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.