Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, and headache condition are all granted as service-connected.,A 70 percent initial rating is granted for PTSD from December 11, 2014. The effective date of this grant is denied.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from December 11, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete development of his Gulf War exposure history. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated as noncompensable prior to July 24, 2014. From that date onwards, a rating of 50 percent was granted.,PTSD was initially rated at 70 percent from the effective date of October 23, 2013.,Right shoulder degenerative joint disease received an initial 20 percent rating based on painful motion.,Sleep apnea and tinnitus were both denied for increased ratings as they are already at their maximum schedular ratings.,Loss of cervical lordosis was granted service connection effective October 23, 2013.,TDIU is pending due to the Veteran's multiple service-connected disabilities.,The appeal for TBI and recurrent lumbar strain remains unresolved (remanded).,No specific exposure basis or presumption was mentioned in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, neck, right ankle, and headaches conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches need to be re-evaluated due to a lack of recent VA examination. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of her condition.

The application to reopen the claim for service connection for DDD (claimed as back pain) is denied.,The application to reopen the claim for service connection for Bell's palsy is granted. Service connection for a headache disorder secondary to service-connected hypertension and depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's migraines are related to her service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for migraines.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. The claims for service connection for sarcoidosis and psychiatric disorders (including schizophrenia and PTSD) are reopened, but the service connection for low back disorder, left hip disorder, and right hip disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disability has been denied.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied, as the current rating already reflects the maximum schedular evaluation available.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 60 percent for chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for depressive disorder with anxiety features and migraines, as well as TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches associated with TBI is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2016 VA examination and his assertion that he experiences one to two incapacitating headaches per week.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at a 30 percent for the entire period on appeal, as they meet the criteria of characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once a month over several months.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back disorder, an eye disorder, obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep problems, acid reflux, skin disorders, headache disorder, peripheral neuropathy, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Veteran's tension headaches and mood disorder have been granted service connection, with effective dates set at the date of receipt of the claim for each condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibromyalgia, headache disorder, left leg disorder, back disorder (arthritis), and acquired psychiatric disorder was denied. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for headache disorder was denied as the condition is not a diagnosable chronic multi-symptom disorder that was not manifest in service or attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, and a heart condition have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or etiological relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for schizophrenia and headaches have been remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for stomach problems, headaches, a head condition, a jaw condition, and residuals of a neck injury are being remanded for further development. The VA will consider these claims on their merits rather than reopening them based on new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were present during and after service. The appeal of service connection for headaches was dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities, as well as a mood disorder, have been withdrawn.,Issues regarding service connection for back, neck, and hip disorders are being remanded for further examination and analysis.,The claim for service connection for TBI is also being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, finding that there was no evidence to support a direct or secondary relationship between his current headaches and his military service.