Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's heart palpitations and tension headaches have been denied increased ratings, with the exception of denying an earlier effective date for service connection.,Heart palpitations were not rated higher than 10% prior to May 5, 2016, and a rating in excess of 10% as of that date was also denied. An earlier effective date for tension headaches was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, cervicalgia, and migraines with tension headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, chronic constipation, and tension headaches as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's headaches were not characterized by prostrating attacks, and a compensable evaluation is denied.,Prior to January 20, 2015, the Veteran’s hypertension required medication for control; beginning from that date, it has been manifested by diastolic blood pressure of predominantly around 100 mm, and systolic pressure predominantly in the 170s and 180s. A compensable evaluation is granted.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction disability is manifested by loss of erectile power but not by penile deformity; a compensable evaluation is denied.,Service connection for fibromyalgia is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis despite service in Southwest Asia and widespread musculoskeletal pain.,Service connection for vertigo, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding the nature of the Veteran's symptoms and their relation to his service-connected conditions.,Service connection for a sleep disability, to include as due to an undiagnosed illness, is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of sleep apnea or chronic fatigue syndrome.,Service connection for angioneurotic edema of the right and left leg and edema of the right and left ankle is remanded due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to hypertension.,Service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (GERD) is remanded due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's residuals of hysterectomy are granted, while her left ankle disability (secondary to service-connected right ankle strain), right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, lumbar strain, major depressive disorder, and migraines remain remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for cluster headaches and migraines was denied prior to April 3, 2006. The Board granted a 30 percent rating from April 3, 2006 to September 28, 2011.,For the period from April 3, 2006 to September 27, 2011, the Veteran's cluster headaches and migraines were rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a higher rating in excess of 30 percent.,From September 28, 2011 to March 28, 2018, the Veteran was not granted any compensable disability ratings for her cluster headaches and migraines.,For the period from March 29, 2018, the Veteran's cluster headaches and migraines were rated at 30 percent. The Board denied a higher rating in excess of 30 percent.,The claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to April 3, 2006 was denied as the Veteran did not meet the schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of various disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for CFS, fibromyalgia, GERD, and bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is granted for headaches. The Veteran's claims for tinnitus are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus, and neuropathy have been granted. The appeals for service connection for these conditions are all secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, headaches, and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities are not service-connected.,Service connection for a sleeping disorder is denied as there is no evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of left knee and left foot disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The cervical spine disability, headaches (including as a residual of TBI), and PTSD claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for headaches and psychiatric disorders, as well as her TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for new examinations and updated medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current hearing impairment meeting VA criteria.,The Veteran's TBI was evaluated at a 40 percent rating, with an additional 100 percent evaluation for PTSD. The headaches were separately rated at 50 percent effective August 16, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for depression has been denied. The Board remanded the cases regarding TBI and right wrist disability due to lack of current treatment records.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for several awards and evaluations need to be reconsidered, as well as the evaluation of craniotomy post auricular with bone loss associated with residuals of status post translabyrinthitis resection. The other issues are being remanded due to their interrelated nature.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for all issues related to service connection and increased ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee, right knee, and chronic headache disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected ingrown toenails are rated at a 20 percent under Diagnostic Code 7804, effective from the date of the decision.,The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches are rated at a 30 percent under DC 8100, effective from the date of the decision. The Board has also remanded for further development regarding service connection for PTSD with anxiety and depression.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to address the severity of her service-connected disabilities, including low back pain, cervical spine disorder, left pubic ramus fracture, right tibia stress fracture, and right ankle disability. The Board will also consider whether she meets the criteria for a TDIU prior to March 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for valvular heart disease was reopened and granted, but the issue of service connection for high cholesterol and migraine disability remains denied.,Service connection for valvular heart disease is granted based on exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for high cholesterol and migraine disability are both denied.