Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran was granted a TDIU rating for the period from July 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018. For the periods prior to and after this date, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The rating reduction from 100% to 50% for the Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea was proper, and entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 50% is denied. The severance of SMC based on housebound status was also proper, and restoration is denied. Entitlement to SMC from July 1, 2015 to December 30, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's effective date for additional compensation benefits for her dependent child is granted as of June 30, 2013. The decision was made based on the information provided in January and September 2016, which was within one year of the December 2015 rating decision granting service connection.

The Veteran's headaches were reduced from a 30 percent rating to a zero percent rating in May 2017. The Board found the reduction improper and restored the 30 percent rating effective August 24, 2016.

The Veteran's COPD and lumbar spine disability were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of a current disability during or within one year after service. The Board finds the VA examiners' opinions to be highly probative.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity arthritis/tendonitis and headaches are remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and reopened the claim for a sleep disability to include sleep apnea. The remaining issues have been remanded due to new evidence received since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for various conditions, including left knee condition, right knee condition, left ankle condition, right ankle condition, TBI, cerebellar ataxia, loss of equilibrium and balance due to radiation exposure, low immune system (claimed as other residuals from radiation exposure), irritable colon syndrome, and occasional headaches (claimed as other residuals of radiation exposure).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened, but the Board has determined that a new and material opinion is needed regarding whether his migraines are proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's chronic headache disability is granted as service connected, with the Board finding that it began during his active service and has continued since.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches were incurred during service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is denied as the earliest possible effective date is May 31, 2013 due to the lack of service-connected disabilities prior to that date.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.,An initial compensable rating for the Veteran's allergic rhinitis prior to November 18, 2020 was denied. From that date onwards, a 10% rating has been assigned.

The Veteran's claims of CUE as to the April 1996 rating decision are dismissed because there remains no justiciable case or controversy with respect to these appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back pain, sleep apnea, and headaches. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for hearing loss, headaches, TBI, mandibular malunion with TMJ, septal fracture post rhinoplasty, left femur fracture residuals, and scar of the left femur.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and readjudication due to incomplete consideration of evidence, particularly regarding the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches have been granted service connection.,Her lumbar spine disability, right knee disabilities, and right and left wrist pain are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lipomas and headaches due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Additional development is needed, including obtaining new medical opinions based on newly acquired records.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are granted service connection. The initial 100% rating for PTSD prior to August 10, 2016 is granted. Other conditions (TBI, migraine headaches, and hearing loss) are remanded for further review.