Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral hip disability, and headaches, including as due to a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The decision also denied her request for an initial rating greater than 40 percent for her lumbosacral spine disability on an extraschedular basis.

The Board granted a 30 percent initial rating for the Veteran's tension headaches, finding that his characteristic prostrating attacks of headache pain occurred on an average once a month over the prior several months.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability and tension headaches are remanded due to the need for updated medical evaluations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and for an initial, compensable rating for tension headaches due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular level of 50 percent. An earlier effective date for assignment of a 50 percent rating is granted as of June 3, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches is granted, but the claims for a lumbar spine disability and TDIU are remanded due to need for additional development.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus is denied. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began during active service, manifested during the initial post separation year, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and completing a VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches, radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities, traumatic brain injury, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities are all granted as service-connected.,Reasoning: The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service falls and concussions which led to current disabilities. After resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board determined these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting migraine headaches did not become aggravated during his military service, and thus he cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not provide sufficient new and material evidence to reopen his claim for a lumbar vertebral mass, but granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and migraine headaches. Service connection was also denied for neck disability and arthritis of the right foot.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for PCOS. The Veteran's PCOS symptoms have been identified, but additional medical opinions are needed to address the severity of her condition and its relationship to other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation has already been assigned.,The request to establish an effective date prior to June 7, 2017 for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence indicating intent to file a claim before that date.,New and material evidence submitted by the Veteran does not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate his claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis with balance problems, thus the request to reopen this claim is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied as there is no indication that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no indication that they began during active service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep issues is denied as there is no indication that they began during active service or are related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bladder condition is denied as there is no indication that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and secondary service connection for migraines with blurred vision. The Veteran's neck disability is related to his active military service, and his migraines are linked to this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from performing her current job as a Resident Assistant with the Federal Indian Health Service, and she is currently employed in an occupation for which she was previously found rehabilitated. The Board finds that the criteria for additional vocational rehabilitation under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 have not been met.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine variants due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his migraines and his in-service seizure.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's asthma, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and headaches have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and there is sufficient evidence to support their relationship to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran’s migraine headaches are granted a 50 percent rating, and her right and left knee disabilities are remanded for further review.

Service connection granted for a left knee disability and headaches.,Effective dates earlier than December 31, 2013, denied for left great toe fracture and cataracts.