Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for TBI, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and migraines. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness and fainting, headache disorder, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus type II, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy have been granted due to exposure to herbicides during service in Thailand.,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's current diagnoses of coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus, type II, as these conditions are associated with his previously established service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's headaches are not rated higher than 30 percent, as they do not meet the criteria for a more severe rating.,The Veteran does not have hearing loss that meets VA disability criteria and thus service connection is denied.,The Veteran does not have a diagnosed cranial nerve disability. His reported numbness of the face is considered part of his headaches.,Service connection for prostate cancer or erectile dysfunction, both associated with herbicide exposure, are denied as there was no evidence of such exposure in service and no current condition found to be caused by it.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not secondary to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's headaches were rated at a 30% rating beginning September 15, 2011. A 50% rating was granted starting October 8, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and headaches due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed with a VA examination to determine if there is a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development, including obtaining relevant federal records and providing adequate opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist strain, lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, sinusitis, tension headaches and migraine headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with his reported symptoms in service.

An increased disability rating for migraine headaches is denied.,An increased initial disability rating for GERD is denied.,New and material evidence having been received, the petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for lumbar strain is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and remanded the issue of an increased rating for bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and headaches as due to an undiagnosed illness related to Gulf War Syndrome, and as secondary to PTSD are remanded. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the etiology of his symptoms.

The appeal as to the request to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is dismissed. The appeals as to the claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities are granted due to new and material evidence being received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection or compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for optic neuropathy, headaches, and tremors are granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disability, migraine headaches including as secondary to a neck disability, an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for PTSD, and entitlement to TDIU due to lack of medical evidence and need for updated examinations.

For the entire period on appeal beginning August 24, 2011, a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches was granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for neck disability, bilateral pes planus (claimed as bilateral foot injury), thoracic kyphoscoliosis (claimed as a back injury), anxiety disorder not otherwise specified also claimed as depression, and headache disorder due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and a need for further medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Board found that a remand is needed to obtain an opinion on whether the Veteran's current headache disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical evidence regarding the Veteran's claimed residuals of spinal meningitis. A new examination is needed to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of her condition.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current condition to active service and concluded that his symptoms are not related to any incident during service. For the left shoulder, a 30% rating effective March 8, 2013, was granted.