Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability rating based on unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for broken fingers of the left hand was withdrawn and dismissed.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is granted, with onset during active service.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (dry throat and sinus problems) is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during service or otherwise related to service.,Service connection for tension headaches is denied due to lack of chronicity in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that his claim for this condition must be denied.,The Veteran's headache disorder is not service-connected due to lack of medical evidence linking his current symptoms to his military service. The Board also found that he does not have a current diagnosis of a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent from August 2, 2008 to July 24, 2015. A TDIU is granted for the same period due to his service-connected disabilities. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted during this time.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for bilateral pes planus, headaches, and a right knee condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for migraines and tension headaches was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a specific claim prior to October 29, 2012.,Service connection for high blood pressure was denied because it did not occur during service or within one year after discharge. The Veteran's condition was first diagnosed five years post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pes planus, tinnitus, tension headaches, or an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression. The TBI claim is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The Board denied an extraschedular rating and granted a TDIU from September 7, 2018 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.,Both conditions were found to have onset during or shortly after service.

The Veteran's hypertension claim has not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.,Diabetes mellitus type 2 and genital herpes claims have both been denied as there is no service connection.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is granted at a 30 percent level, effective October 8, 2008. The appeal for the cervical spine scar was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's back disability, sleeping disorder, and headaches are service-connected as they are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for a back disability is granted based on aggravation by the service-connected left knee disability.,Service connection for a sleeping disorder is granted as it is proximately due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability and associated pain medication.,Service connection for headaches is granted as they are proximately due to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied due to insufficient evidence of unemployability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, a seizure disorder, and headaches due to additional development being required. Service connection is denied for hypotestosteronemia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations, consideration of new evidence, and clarification of the issues.

The Board has vacated its decision and remanded the case due to a VLJ who conducted the hearing not participating in the November 13, 2018, Board remand. The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on several conditions is being reconsidered.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for traumatic brain injury and headaches associated with the injury are being remanded due to incomplete medical records from Methodist Charlton Medical Center in Dallas, Texas.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s PTSD, Headache Syndrome, Degenerative Disc Disease with Degenerative Arthritis of the Thoracolumbar Spine, and Tinnitus are currently rated appropriately.