The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as aggravated by a service-connected disability (tinnitus). The claim for sleep apnea was denied. The Veteran's glaucoma of the left eye is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher rating or extraschedular consideration is warranted. The earlier effective date claims were also denied.
The deciding factor: The Board found that the Veteran’s headaches are aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, thus establishing a secondary service connection for migraine headaches. For sleep apnea, there was insufficient evidence to establish a diagnosis in service and no chronicity of symptomatology since service. The glaucoma rating is at its maximum under the schedular criteria.
- Claimed conditions
- migraine headaches, sleep apnea, unspecified depressive disorder (addressed as an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as depression), glaucoma of the left eye
- How they argued it
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 10%
- Decision date
- November 5, 2018
- Citation
- 18147597
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 18147597.
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, and PTSD due to additional development of records and examination.
- Denied
The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease manifesting within one year after service and concluding that the current disability is not related to his in-service deviated septum.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to determine if his current sleep disorder is related to his military service.
- Remanded (sent back)
The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions and need for further development.
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