Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches and maxillary sinusitis were granted, but his claim for service connection of sciatica was denied due to lack of a chronic disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral pes planus, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and tooth and gum disability have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea with fatigue, but the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are found to have their onset during active duty service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for various service connection claims, including those related to psychiatric disorders, hearing loss, arthritis, and dental conditions. The Board also remanded several issues for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected Traumatic Brain Injury with PTSD results in the need for aid and attendance of another person, necessitating a higher rate of SMC. The effective date is set at March 22, 2013.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU prior to June 29, 2010 and an increased rating for chronic headaches. The case has been remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated treatment records and referral of the claim to the Director of VA's Compensation and Pension Service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military noise exposure. Service connection for headaches was also granted based on a link between the Veteran's in-service head injury and his current symptoms.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's residuals of a head contusion and left leg length discrepancy.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by her representative, and thus the appeals for all issues have been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to ensure all relevant records are associated with the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD) have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,For the TDIU claim, the Veteran was already considered totally disabled due to a separate disability (PTSD), so this issue has also been denied.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any reports of headaches, psychiatric disorders, or obstructive sleep apnea during active service. There is no evidence of these conditions in VA and private outpatient treatment records dated from 2008 to 2016.,Service connection for headaches, a psychiatric disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea cannot be established as there is insufficient evidence linking any current disabilities to the Veteran's period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion assessing the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent throughout the appeal period, and his acquired psychiatric disorder has been rated at 70 percent.,VA medical care resulting in lacerations of the bowel was found to be the proximate cause of the Veteran's additional disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a supplemental examination to determine if the Veteran's neck disability is related to his fall during service.

The Veteran's GERD had its onset in service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal are addressed in the remand section following the decision.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted effective from April 4, 2014. The claim for service connection is now considered substantiated.