Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine headaches due to new evidence. The cervical spine disability is granted with service connection based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities has been denied.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence indicating that the Veteran's service-connected migraines and heartburn have worsened since their last examinations. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective June 9, 2004. The Board also granted a TDIU for the period prior to May 18, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and tension headaches are all granted. The claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headache, fibromyalgia, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and sleep apnea. The conditions are deemed to be related to his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has not addressed the service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability as they are considered to be 'unknown' due to lack of specific mention in the decision.,The claim for service connection for migraines, including as due to service-connected tinnitus, is granted after reopening.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for headaches associated with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, in remission, is denied as there are no characteristic prostrating attacks to warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and SMC at the housebound rate are granted. The initial rating of 100 percent for organic brain syndrome, initial compensable rating for headaches, and SMC based on housebound status are all granted as of June 26, 1969. The issues regarding loss of skull and head scar remain unresolved.

Service connection for arthritis, headaches, and tinnitus was denied. The Veteran's service records did not show any diagnosis of these conditions during or after his military service.,Tinnitus received a maximum schedular rating (10%) as it is specifically listed in the rating schedule. No other diagnostic codes are potentially applicable which might afford a higher rating on an alternative basis.,No effective date earlier than November 4, 2016, was granted for tinnitus due to lack of prior intent to file a claim.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches have been granted higher ratings, but the rating for PTSD remains at 70%. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left shoulder arthritis, right shoulder disability, fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, anemia, and skin condition. Service connection was granted for headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 9, 2016. The Board also granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar degenerative disk disease, vascular headaches and sinusitis, and TDIU due to inadequate examinations in previous rating decisions.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and a headache disability. The claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and headaches are not service-connected.,Right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, but the claim for a higher rating is remanded. Maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis has been granted an initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for tinnitus, back disability, bilateral pes planus, allergic rhinitis, migraines, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and degenerative changes of the right shoulder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of PTSD linked to in-service stressor and grants service connection for PTSD. Other issues related to initial ratings are remanded.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, hypertension, TBI and cranial nerve damage are all found to have their onset in service. The Veteran's chronic headaches and TBI were granted service connection. However, the Veteran's hypertension and cranial nerve damage remain unresolved due to remand for further examination and opinion.