Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbar strain, and right foot metatarsalgia with calcaneal spur are not rated higher than 10 percent prior to May 16, 2011.,For the period beginning May 16, 2011, the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10 percent; left knee patellofemoral syndrome and arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbar strain are each rated at 10 percent; and right foot metatarsalgia with calcaneal spur is rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to May 16, 2011, and 40 percent beginning May 16, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a low back disability and TMJ was reopened, with the new evidence showing diagnoses of low back pain and TMJ. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected as it is at least as likely as not due to her service-connected vertigo.,The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine has been granted a 30% disability rating, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA regulations.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms prior to May 29, 2014 resulted in significant occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective May 29, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for migraines and remanded the issue of service connection for tension headaches, which is related to a service-connected insomnia disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral flat feet, unspecified anxiety disorder with posttraumatic stress disorder (psychiatric disability), migraine headaches, and kidney disability have been granted. The claim for acne was denied. Effective November 17, 2015, the Veteran is now receiving a 70 percent rating for his psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypertension, kidney disorder, and headaches have been denied. The claim for increased rating of coronary artery disease has also been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for a low back disability is remanded.,The claim for an initial rating greater than 10 percent for tinnitus remains denied as the appellant is already receiving the maximum schedular rating.,The claim for a low back disability is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its onset and etiology during service.,The claim for a right lazy eye is remanded due to lack of evidence on record regarding its onset and etiology during service.,The claims for migraines (including as aggravated by tinnitus) and psychiatric disability (including as aggravated by tinnitus) are both remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.,The claim for an effective date earlier than May 29, 2013, for service connection of tinnitus is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI residuals and migraine headaches need further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's migraines and vertigo are granted as service-connected.,Effective dates for the grants of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease are denied.,Service connection is granted for a left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. Effective dates for these conditions are not granted as the Veteran did not file claims prior to July 7, 2014.,The Veteran's hypertension, anxiety, and depression are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee disabilities, a left ankle disability, tinnitus, bronchitis, headaches (secondary to rhinitis), and sleep apnea. The claims are remanded for further development in several areas.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to service connection for various hand, finger, and ankle ligament laxity conditions. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the nature and etiology of these conditions, as well as any acquired psychiatric disorder and headache disorder.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD), and a lumbosacral spine disability due to lack of medical evidence showing current disabilities related to active service.,Service connection was also not granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as the Veteran's in-service audiological evaluations were conducted using ASA standards which need to be converted to ISO-ANSI standards.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraines have made it difficult for him to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU, but the evaluations for migraine headaches and bilateral anterior displaced disc remain under review.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted a 50% evaluation, effective April 24, 2012. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a total schedular rating for PTSD and SMC.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions do not render him totally unemployable.

The Veteran's chronic headaches and neck disability are granted, with a 50% rating for headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent disabling, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for headaches because the Veteran did not file a timely notice of disagreement or motion to vacate, and it does not stem from another perfected appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeals for various conditions and issues as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an alcohol abuse disorder and has denied service connection for this condition. The issues of OSA, headache condition, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.