Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine disorders, bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities, a left knee disability, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury residuals, and erectile dysfunction, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted TDIU based on the combined rating of 90%.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and tension headaches due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current state of his disabilities, as there is evidence suggesting a possible increase in disability since the last examination.

The claim for service connection for fibromyalgia is granted with an effective date of February 10, 2017. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional VA treatment records, schedule examinations for PTSD, migraine and mixed muscle contraction type headaches, DDD of the lumbosacral spine, and radiculopathy, and to provide an examination regarding the nature and etiology of any cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's headaches, sleep disturbances, and memory loss are all found to be due to an undiagnosed illness during service.

The Veteran's service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted, but he does not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating for his hearing loss. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for major depressive disorder was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for this condition as secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's headaches are also granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, major depressive disorder, and tinnitus. For allergic rhinitis, a 10% rating is granted effective October 26, 2012.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent rating from October 15, 2012 to August 4, 2013. The issue of an increased rating greater than 50 percent for the period after August 4, 2013 is pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations for his cervical spine, right knee, right shoulder, left elbow, TBI, seizures, and migraines.

The Veteran's GERD and migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that his symptoms may have worsened since the last VA examinations. The issues are being remanded for new VA examinations to determine the current severity of these disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypoxemia, headaches (cluster headaches), and sinusitis were denied. The Board found no direct or secondary service connection based on the lack of in-service events, injuries, or diseases related to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for headaches associated with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is being remanded to allow the AOJ to consider additional evidence, including a March 2019 VA examination and a private clinical record from SPT.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disability and depression has been withdrawn.,Service connection is granted for bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's tinnitus, headaches, and pharyngitis were not found to be related to service. The Board also remanded the issues of diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension due to potential in-service asbestos exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypertension was denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, thoracic spine disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The claims were remanded but the appeals remain pending.

The Veteran's appeals for left eye condition, gastrointestinal bleeding, and higher disability rating for tinnitus have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection of chronic headaches, chronic nose bleeding, and lower back injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, high blood pressure (hypertension), right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a failure in VA's duty to assist. The case is being sent back for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claim remains denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied because the Veteran did not appear for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, reflecting very frequent and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder.,The Veteran's PTSD is granted based on a credible in-service stressor.