Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine DDD is granted on a direct basis.,The Veteran's chronic qualifying disability manifested by headaches is granted on a presumptive basis.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's sinus condition and headaches, finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a headache disability due to inadequate examination and failure to address in-service treatment records and post-service complaints.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to cause her current headache disability. The lumbar spine disability, however, is not considered service connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for left shoulder disability, OSA, headache disability (including as secondary to PTSD), left ankle disability, and left ear hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. Claims for acid reflux, COPD, bilateral tinea pedis, hemorrhoids, bronchitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, diverticulitis, migraines, back condition, and neck condition were denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for chronic headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea, a respiratory disability, and muscle pain/joint pain. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including depression, migraine headaches without aura, left shoulder bursitis, right ankle sprain, knee pain disorders, fungal infections of the feet, cervical spine strain, and chronic ankle sprain. The Veteran requires assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom, putting on his ankle brace, and protecting himself from hazards due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and new evidence has been received to support the reopening of his claims. However, the Board finds that there is not a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including insomnia, major depressive disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and anxiety disorder) was granted due to new and material evidence.

The Board has found the VA examinations inadequate for deciding the Veteran's claims and has ordered further examination to address causation and aggravation of his migraine headaches and bilateral hip arthritis, as well as the appropriate rating for his lumbosacral spine disability.

The VA has restored the appellant's 20% rating for hepatitis C, effective February 29, 2016. The other service connection claims are denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 10% rating. Bilateral hearing loss is denied for the period from January 13, 2016 to May 9, 2022 and denied in excess of 10% for the period from May 9, 2022. Service connection is granted for left knee instability and right knee instability. The Veteran's heart disability is not service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral ear barotrauma, cerebral infarction, and others, are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issues have not been rated or assigned a disability rating.

The Veteran's TDIU rating for PTSD was granted effective September 1, 2011. His increased diabetes rating is denied.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 1, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran experienced migraine headaches more than once a month but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of prostrating attacks.

The Board has determined that additional evidence must be considered and the claims for service connection are being remanded to allow for a thorough review of all submitted records, including translated Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered in light of new information.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the addition of new service-connected disabilities, and a request for VA Form 21-8940 was not received. The case will be reconsidered with this information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for head injury residuals and post-concussive headaches, as well as her TDIU claim, are inextricably intertwined with her TBI claim. As a result, these issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of myopia and TBI. The low back condition claim was reopened, but the appeal remains pending as it is being remanded. The PTSD rating was restored to 70%.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because he has been employed throughout the period on appeal and there is no persuasive evidence that his service-connected conditions prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.