Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for migraine headaches, but diabetes mellitus, type II, is not service connected due to lack of exposure to herbicide agents during active duty.,Diabetes mellitus, type II, is denied as there is no evidence it manifested within one year of separation from active service. The appeal for OSA secondary to tinnitus is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were denied as service connection was not established.,The previously denied claims for GERD and recurrent headaches have been reopened, but service connection was not established.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches, finding that his symptoms are related to active duty service. The claim for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no current diagnosis of this condition for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed headache disability and TBI. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records, undergo examinations for his headaches and TBI, and have their claims re-evaluated.

The Veteran's tension headaches, GERD, and right foot bunion have been granted service connection.,An initial 50 percent rating for PTSD is granted from June 1, 2016 to April 1, 2021.

The Veteran's tension headaches have been granted a 50% disability rating, effective from the date of the decision.,For sinusitis prior to April 5, 2021, the Veteran is denied any increase in his current 10% disability rating. From that date forward, he has been granted a 30% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating issues due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination. The claims include bilateral hearing loss, TBI residuals, wrist disabilities, headaches, vertigo, sleep apnea, and adjustment disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate have been granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches from TBI, low back strain, bilateral hearing loss with nonsuppurative otitis media, diabetes mellitus with nephropathy and erectile dysfunction, diabetic retinopathy, peripheral vascular disease, peripheral neuropathy, hemorrhoids, residuals of TBI, and other conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and flat foot, tension headaches, and obesity. The claim for obesity is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of explanation regarding the ameliorative effects of medication used to treat the Veteran's migraine symptoms in evaluating his disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date due to outstanding private treatment records. The appellant is asked to provide authorization for Dr. Miller's records using the Veteran's name and date of birth.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability evaluation for sinusitis is denied.,A rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction is denied.,A compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity prior to August 26, 2014, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity for the period beginning August 26, 2014, are denied.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity prior to August 26, 2014, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity for the period beginning August 26, 2014, are denied.,Rating in excess of 10 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity prior to September 7, 2021, and a rating in excess of 40 percent for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity for the period beginning September 7, 2021, are denied.,A 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity for the period beginning September 7, 2021, and a 40 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity for the period beginning September 7, 2021, are granted.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for post-traumatic headaches prior to July 22, 2013, is denied. A rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic headaches for the period beginning July 22, 2013, is also denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn.,The reduction of the disability rating for thoracolumbar myofascial strain with IVDS from 40 percent to 20 percent was improper, and the rating is restored. The issues regarding TDIU, headaches, cervical myofascial strain, thoracolumbar myofascial strain, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and bilateral lower extremities, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral hands are remanded for further action.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and she has been employed with income exceeding the poverty threshold. Therefore, TDIU prior to October 15, 2019 is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for left and right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. The appeal for service connection for bilateral hip disorder, neurological symptoms (headaches), and respiratory disorder other than chronic bronchitis is remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his current headaches and his military service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for clarification.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and a headache disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD with panic disorder and minor neurocognitive disorder, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The issues of service connection for a psychiatric disability, headache disability, PFB, bilateral pes planus, and left knee disability are remanded.