Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions, and therefore service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headache disability is now rated at the highest possible level (50%) throughout the appeal period, reflecting very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded three issues: increased ratings for PTSD, migraine headaches, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Board has granted a compensable rating of 10 percent for the right wrist disability effective June 24, 2011. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for migraine headaches, TBI residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are remanded.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection and disability ratings in excess of 30 percent, 70 percent, or more for various conditions. The appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for migraine headaches is remanded due to the failure of a scheduled VA examination. The case will be readjudicated after the rescheduled examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, an increased rating for degenerative joint disease, C5-6 and C6-7, and a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety and panic attacks now claimed as secondary to headaches, is being remanded back to the RO for consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for headaches, rhinitis/sinusitis, low back disorder, bilateral knee disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and chest pain. Service connection has also been denied for hyperlipidemia.

The Board has granted service connection for depression, headaches, and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus, depression, and medication use. Service connection was denied for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, colon cancer, skin cancer, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected cluster headaches, finding that he could still secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, sleep disability, peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson disease, circulatory disability, gastroesophageal disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral hip and knee disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities has been granted. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, bilateral upper extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral lower extremity frostbite residuals, bilateral foot disability, skin disability, and service connection for a lumbar spine disability have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at a 30 percent since the period covered by the claim, with no higher rating granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arachnoid cysts, lacunar infarctions, headaches, and tremors due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep disability (to include sleep apnea), and headache disability (to include as due to a TBI). The Veteran's VA treatment records from Tuscaloosa, Alabama in January 2011 are requested. Additionally, the Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted for the period prior to September 6, 2018. For the period beginning on September 6, 2018, his rating remains at 50%. The Board has also remanded two issues: service connection for a skin condition (claimed as blisters) and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected muscle contraction headaches was dismissed. His claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney failure, both secondary to his service-connected headaches, were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current headaches are related to his military service or a service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches, but denied service connection for hypertension.