Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent disability rating effective April 27, 2018. The Board found that the evidence supports this rating based on the frequency and severity of his migraines.

The Board has decided that the propriety of reducing the Veteran's migraine rating from 30% to noncompensable effective January 1, 2019 is unclear and requires further review. The AOJ will need to consider additional evidence including recent VA treatment records and any private medical records related to the Veteran’s migraines.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, head injury residuals (headaches), sleep apnea, dizziness, left shoulder disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and/or left knee disability are being remanded for further evaluation.,Service connection is not currently established for any of the conditions listed above.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, a left collar bone disability, facial lacerations with scars, migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and a left elbow disability. The reasons given were that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Veteran's depression and right shoulder tendonitis with degenerative arthritis are both rated at their maximum levels, but the Veteran's headaches secondary to trauma do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral SNHL, gastritis, headache disorder, acid reflux, and fatigue have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for a respiratory disorder (bronchiolitis).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for left knee degenerative joint disease or right knee degenerative joint disease, but granted separate 10 percent ratings for instability in each knee. Service connection was denied for headaches, chronic pain syndrome, lumbar spine disability, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's headaches are also remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.,Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an upper respiratory disorder, including sinusitis. The claims are being remanded due to new evidence added during the period when it was not allowed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for blurred vision, spinocerebellar ataxia 5, joint pain, headache condition, dizziness, and leg fatigue are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Spinocerebellar ataxia 5 is a significant issue as it requires clarification on its etiology and whether it constitutes a congenital defect or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected TMJ disorder and migraine headaches do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for migraine headaches, interstitial lung disease, right facial hypesthesia, and right upper extremity hypesthesia due to new evidence. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of proper adjudication and the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for headaches is granted, effective November 18, 2009. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (residuals of TBI), and PTSD are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, sinusitis, and a sleep disability (including sleep apnea and sleep walking) as the evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,There was no indication of migraines and sinusitis on the July 1972 medical examination. The Veteran reported both conditions on his Report of Medical History at the time of entrance into service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted as the evidence shows that his current headaches had their onset in active service and are related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraines have been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective October 2, 2012. The Veteran's TBI has not resulted in a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board denied a higher rating for sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 7, 2019 and found no evidence warranting a rating in excess of 30 percent from March 7, 2019.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by his military service.