Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin disorder due to circumcision is dismissed. The claim for PTSD is denied. The appeal for respiratory disorder (asbestos exposure) is denied. The appeal for sleep disorder is denied. The appeal for headaches is denied. An initial rating of 20 percent for left ankle degenerative joint disease is granted. Appeals for coronary artery disease, hypertension, corns of the bilateral feet, and hemorrhoids are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, bone spurs of the cervical spine, herniated disc of the lumbar spine, DJD of the left knee, residuals of a head injury with concussion/TBI, migraine headaches, and Alzheimer's disease and memory loss. The Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues during a videoconference hearing.

The Board has denied service connection for bronchitis and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's claims for left knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral foot, headaches, erectile dysfunction, depression and anxiety, chest pains, blurred vision, and dizziness are pending.

The Veteran's 50% rating for migraine headaches is restored from September 1, 2012. The reduction to a 30% rating was not proper due to the lack of evidence showing improvement in his ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches began during her active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, muscle pain, respiratory condition, gastrointestinal condition, and migraine headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including muscle weakness, dizziness, chronic fatigue, rhinitis, sinus disorder other than rhinitis, sleep apnea, GERD, skin disorder (claimed as skin lumps), headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI, residuals of craniotomy, and an increased rating for migraines due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private medical records and undergo a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluation and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the VA examination of August 2017, and further development is needed.

The Board has added over 300 pages of VA treatment records to the claims file, which may be relevant to the Veteran's appeals. The AOJ needs to review this new evidence and issue a Supplemental Statement of the Case before making a decision on the issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left thigh disability, right foot injury, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches have been denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for a lower back disability and his request for an increased rating for left ankle sprain.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, heart disability (claimed as a congestive heart problem), hypertension, headaches, and PTSD. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service is not considered sufficient to establish service connection.,Service records show no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 19, 2013.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for migraines is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been presented, indicating that the Veteran may have experienced headaches during service which could be related to his current migraines.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for IBS, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, hypertension, and migraine headaches. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, bipolar disorder, and denied service connection for headaches, bilateral hip conditions, and diabetes. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease, lumbosacral strain, and various joint and hearing conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. A TDIU rating is granted.

All appeals for service connection and increased ratings are withdrawn. The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected headaches.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology, including potential aggravation by a work-related injury in 1999.