Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and evaluation, including service connection for a left leg condition, an increased rating for right ankle sprain residuals, and an increased rating for cataracts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of loss of use of extremities, blindness in both eyes with 20/200 visual acuity or less, and other specific requirements.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches and dementia are service-connected, but has remanded for further clarification on the link between the Veteran's dementia and his in-service boxing career.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, an eye disability, and migraine headaches as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and bilateral hearing loss disability are granted. Claims for other conditions such as left foot ingrown toenail, right foot ingrown toenail, left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, right knee, left knee, sleep apnea, tachycardia, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), erectile dysfunction, TBI, headache, and acquired psychiatric disability are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but the remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability, dizziness, skin disability, and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the reduction of disability ratings for lumbar spondylosis and herniated disc, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy was improper. The appeal is granted in part as the original disability ratings are restored. Additionally, the claim for service connection for OSA has been denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, which include musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. The Board grants special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected chronic adjustment disorder with depressed mood, migraine headaches, and kidney transplant with chronic membranous glomerulonephritis are being remanded due to the need for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).,The Veteran is advised that a timely Substantive Appeal will be necessary to perfect his appeal on these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for swollen joints, headaches, fatigue, night sweats, and Gulf War Syndrome are remanded due to inadequate examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo has been reopened and granted. The claims for right shoulder disability, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, back disability, left foot spur, migraines, and left ear hearing loss have all been remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examination.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection. The rating for hemorrhoids is granted at a 20% level effective August 31, 2011. Service connection for sleep apnea remains in dispute and requires further examination.,A VA examination will be conducted to determine the etiology of the Veteran’s obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for PTSD with TBI and migraine headaches disabilities has been dismissed.,Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied, while the claim for an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD with TBI remains pending. The claims for erectile dysfunction and migraine headaches require further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sinusitis and headaches due to additional evidence being needed, including private medical records.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches were granted service connection.

The Veteran's daughter, A.S., was found to be permanently incapable of self-support prior to her 18th birthday due to various disabilities and is therefore recognized as a helpless child for VA benefits.

The Board found that the Veteran's cluster headaches/migraines had improved so as to warrant a rating reduction from 50 percent to noncompensable, effective December 1, 2016. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, as well as to assess the severity of his current disabilities.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for residuals of a head injury, an acquired psychiatric disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The effective dates for the awards are not addressed.