Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and hypertension, as well as his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus. The appeals were based on direct evidence of current disabilities without any presumption or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD prior to August 12, 2015, is granted a disability rating of 70 percent. The Veteran's migraines prior to February 18, 2016, are granted a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's current headaches are not related to his in-service symptoms and do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, right knee arthritis, left knee disability, right ear hearing loss, vertigo, and Raynaud's phenomena, by themselves, did not prevent him from establishing or maintaining gainful employment between September 9, 2013 and June 5, 2015.

The Veteran's migraines, which are service-connected and not due to exposure to any specific agent or basis, have been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began. The rating is granted as it meets the criteria for a disability rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to PTSD. The issues of service connection for obesity, bilateral eye disorder, and headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach ulcers, reflux esophagitis, a headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's skin disorder, atopic dermatitis, is granted service connection. ,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for anxiety disorder with alcohol use prior to January 1, 2021 is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for vitiligo. The Veteran's OSA, GERD, BXO, and headaches are remanded due to incomplete development of the record.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded several issues for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were addressed. The Veteran was granted a 50% rating for headaches, but denied an increased rating for PTSD. His right ear hearing loss claim was also denied. Other issues related to sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, GERD, and Gulf War illness were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and TBI, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 28, 2021.

The Veteran's appeal for higher evaluations and SMC at the housebound rate prior to December 14, 2019 and since July 1, 2020 is dismissed.,The Veteran's TIA from July 1, 2020 to the present is no more than 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran's tension headaches including photophobia are granted a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, opioid use disorder, tinnitus, headaches, and hypertension are all granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were dismissed. The appeal for service connection of mixed anxiety with depressive disorder was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to November 6, 2018 was denied. From November 6, 2018, to June 27, 2022, the Veteran received a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations. After this date, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating was denied as his migraines did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy was initially rated at 20 percent prior to September 15, 2016 and then increased to 30 percent from that date onwards. A TDIU was granted effective July 24, 2018 due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected disabilities. Prior to this, a 20 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and TDIU due to issues related to the Veteran's character of discharge from service. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion on whether the Veteran was insane at the time of misconduct leading to his discharge.

The Veteran has withdrawn his claims for service connection of seizure disorder, traumatic brain injury, atrial fibrillation, and low back disability. The remaining issues (headache disorder and dementia) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the existence and etiology of several service-connected conditions, including hypertension, left knee disorder, aching joints, tinnitus, skeletal arthritis of the entire joint system, left elbow disorder, bilateral eye disorder (including sensitivity to light), right knee disorder, bilateral hip disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and bipolar disorder), right elbow disorder, and headache disorder. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.