Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU.,The Veteran's other specified trauma and stress related disorder (PTSD) is currently rated at 70 percent, with no evidence of meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at 30% effective May 8, 2019. The claim for service connection for costochondritis and the issue of entitlement to service connection for keratoconus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and low back disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence such as VA treatment records related to his low back condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was granted, and the effective date is set at April 16, 2007. The claims for PTSD and headaches were also granted with an effective date of April 16, 2007. However, the Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his right elbow disability remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disturbances, as there are missing military records and further efforts to obtain them would be futile. The Veteran was exposed to Gulf War service but his STRs and MPRs were not fully obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and headache disorders due to new evidence received since the last SSOC.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are now pending. The Board has found new and material evidence to support the reopening of his claims for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, low back disorder, posttraumatic headaches with dizziness, bilateral hearing loss, and GI disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and remanded the issue of an initial disability rating for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and headaches due to the need for additional evidence from private providers.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a left hip disability and chronic fatigue with sleep problems, depression, and anxiety. The Veteran's hypertension and headaches were denied as there is no evidence of such conditions in service or related to service.,For the issues of increased ratings for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, the Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and schizoaffective disorder, depressive type. Service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to service, while her back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are not. The claims for sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, migraines (secondary), and gastroesophageal or gastrointestinal disorders are remanded.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of credible evidence linking the condition to service. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and secondary service connection for migraines and gastroesophageal or gastrointestinal disorders are also remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected headache disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of the severity and frequency of his headaches. The Board lacks the requisite medical expertise to adjudicate the claim without further examination.

The Veteran's PTSD rating is dismissed as the requested 70 percent rating has been granted.,Prior to September 20, 2010, the Veteran’s Meniere’s syndrome was rated at 30 percent. From that date forward, it is rated at 100 percent.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 30 percent prior to March 23, 2019 and 50 percent thereafter.,SMC at the housebound rate has been granted from September 20, 2010. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a re-adjudication by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for blurry vision and headaches due to military service in the Persian Gulf. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining personnel records and an examination to determine if a traumatic brain injury is present and whether the Veteran's symptoms of blurry vision, dry eyes, or blepharitis are related to his reported exposure during deployment.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on migraines, generalized anxiety disorder, and lumbar strain have been dismissed. Her fibromyalgia has been granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities rendering her unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment.

The appeal of the issues related to migraines, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and left second metacarpal fracture is dismissed as these conditions have been awarded service connection. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Veteran's right ankle scar is rated at 0 percent, and a higher rating is denied.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent, with no higher rating granted.,Prior to October 16, 2018, the lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent; as of that date, it is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's hypertension and erectile dysfunction are not rated higher than 20 percent.,A higher rating for a left eye disability is denied.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right eye disability, chest disability, and headache disability remains remanded.,Service connection for cervical spine disability, right ankle disability, right knee disability from March 1, 2014 to September 15, 2015, left knee disability, and a temporary 100 percent rating based on surgical treatment for the right knee requiring convalescence are all remanded.,Effective dates prior to specific dates for service connection grants or increased ratings are also remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability was initially rated at 30 percent prior to May 18, 2017. Effective from May 18, 2017, the Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for his migraines headaches.