Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for left eye nerve damage with exotropia and chronic sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and headaches are being remanded due to the lack of a SOC addressing these issues.

The Veteran's headaches are related to a motor vehicle accident during active duty. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including anxiety and depression, is remanded due to the Veteran's reported incident in service where he believes his drink was spiked. The claim of service connection for hearing loss is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations of his left shoulder, shin splints of the left lower extremity (LLE), and tension headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's blurred vision is not related to service, and his heart disorder, enlarged heart, was not shown in service. His sickle cell anemia, kidney disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder with neurobehavioral effects, transient ischemic attacks, headache disorder, heat exhaustion, chronic pain, leukemia, and bladder disorder are not presumed or otherwise linked to service.,The Veteran's current conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and his disability rating for a back condition was restored. The claim for an increased rating of the acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to various disabilities, including a right knee disability that was reopened due to new and material evidence. The rating for bilateral pes planus remains at 30 percent. Other claims are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of hypertension has been reopened, and the claim is granted. Effective dates are assigned for the grant of service connection for left knee strain, right knee strain, and headaches.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for an acid reflux disability, a skin disorder of the chest and back, residuals of circumcision, and a headache disability.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for asthma was reopened, but not granted as the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. Service connection for asthma was also granted secondary to service-connected disabilities (sleep apnea and PTSD). The Veteran's hypertension claim was denied due to lack of medical evidence linking it to his period of active service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,A 50 percent, but no higher, rating for tension headaches is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches have worsened, and a new VA examination is required to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective July 8, 2014. The Board finds the evidence shows very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The reduction in the Veteran’s rating for residuals of TBI from 10 percent to 0 percent was improper, and the prior rating is restored.,The criteria for an effective date earlier than October 17, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD with major depression are not met.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran’s PTSD with major depression meets the criteria for a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder has been reopened, but the appeal is not granted as it remains denied.,An increased rating of 50 percent from October 6, 2009 to May 24, 2013 for MDD was granted. The effective date prior to May 24, 2013 for this increase in disability rating is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased 50 percent disability rating for MDD is also denied.,A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Veteran's headaches are not characterized by very frequent completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, and the claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.,Claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings for headaches and bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy were received on March 13, 2013. The evidence does not show an increase in these disabilities within one year prior to this date, so the earliest allowable date is March 13, 2013.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are remanded as there are no treatment records related to his counseling for PTSD. The claim for TDIU is also remanded due to its inextricability with the other claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disability of the left upper extremity was reopened and granted.,Other claims were remanded due to lack of complete application forms.,Service connection was restored for stress headaches, hypertension, valvular heart disease (mitral valve prolapse), iron deficiency anemia, allergic rhinitis, right shoulder sprain/strain, left shoulder sprain/strain, neck sprain and strain, right knee sprain/strain, left knee sprain/strain, right ankle sprain, right hallux valgus, left eye cortical cataract, acne, atrophic vaginitis, and OSA with CPAP.,The Veteran's service connection for fusion of the right fourth finger distal interphalangeal joint was denied as clearly erroneous.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits were granted effective March 21, 2015. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary for the left knee disability rating issue.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and headaches are currently rated as non-compensable. The VA has ordered a remand to evaluate the current limitations and functional impact from her disabilities, including any flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted, and the denial of service connection for a sleep disorder (PTSD-related) is upheld. The Veteran's PTSD disability rating from April 16, 2012 to June 20, 2015 was granted at 70%, but the total disability rating for PTSD during this period was denied. The restoration of a 10% disability rating for left leg sciatica with nerve impingement is also granted.