Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches due to TBI are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that these symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they do not meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for PTSD, headaches, right ankle disability, left wrist disability, diabetes mellitus type II, and kidney disorder is granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is set at October 9, 2009.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions, including depression, knee degenerative joint disease, jaw fracture residuals, sleep apnea, migraines, eczema, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, bilateral ear disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, left ankle disability, and hypertension. The Veteran is asked to provide additional VA clinical documentation for review.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions have been dismissed.,A claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but the matter is still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, effective February 14, 2020. The Board finds that a 50 percent rating is warranted for the entire period on appeal.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 15, 2016, is remanded to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The claim for bilateral wrist disability is denied as new and material evidence was not received. The claim for PTSD is reopened and granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to failure to address the Veteran's reported symptoms and obtain private treatment records from Kaiser Permanente.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and peripheral vestibular disorder due to potential secondary service connection with his now service-connected adjustment disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee torn ACL, back disability, and headaches due to potential etiological links to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's somatic symptom disorder is granted as secondary to his left wrist disability. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and the claim for a headache disability are denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and initial rating determinations. The main reasons are due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of opinions regarding the Veteran's TBI residuals, post traumatic headaches, encephaloceles, and CFS leak, status post craniotomy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection.,Service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for post-traumatic headaches prior to July 1, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is remanded due to the need for additional evidentiary development. The TDIU issue is also remanded as it may impact the evaluation of the headache claim.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tension headaches, radiculopathy of the radial nerve, and degenerative disc disease with cervical spondylitic myelopathy have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied. Prior to August 14, 2020, the Veteran's TBI did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.,From August 14, 2020, the Veteran's TBI disability is not rated higher than 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a condition claimed as sinusitis, and a bilateral foot condition due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran reported symptoms of snoring, fragmented sleep, and choking during his sleep in service. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient information on what additional factual information would be required to determine if the Veteran had sleep apnea during service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder with bipolar II disorder is granted a 70 percent disability rating, but no higher. The other service-connected conditions are denied.