Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including low back disability, bilateral foot disability, lung disability, headache disability, LADD, erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, diabetes mellitus, enlarged prostate condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and anxiety), obstructive sleep apnea, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected cluster headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, which is granted.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for cervical spine disability and headaches was denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to support the reopening of these claims, as the existing evidence did not establish a link between the disabilities and service.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a headache disorder and remanded several other issues including service connection for a sacrospinal disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety and insomnia), a cervical disorder, total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU), and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for eye condition, high blood pressure, headaches, left leg condition, depression, and diabetes due to outstanding VA treatment records not being obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee DJD, cervical spine DJD and spondylosis, and headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis and migraines are service-connected, with the latter being secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis. The right shoulder disability is remanded for further examination, as is the eye disability. The bilateral foot disability is also remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for toenail and foot fungus and headaches as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. The appeal is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss.

The petition to reopen the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, migraine and cluster headaches, plantar fasciitis, right foot, bilateral hip disability, and bilateral knee disability is granted. The issues of service connection for these conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not shown in service or for many years thereafter, and are not otherwise related to active duty service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder at any point during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including headaches and memory loss, is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's initial rating greater than 30 percent for migraine headaches remains denied.

The Board has determined that VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions, including low back and cervical spine disorders, shoulder disorders, knee disorders, hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, TBI, headaches, and hand tremors. The Veteran's service records show in-service accidents and injuries, but further medical evaluation is required to establish a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened and granted. The claims for service connection for pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, upper respiratory condition (including sinusitis), pulmonary condition (including emphysema, COPD, and chronic airway obstruction not elsewhere classified), sleep apnea, heart condition, and gastrointestinal condition have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis or residuals of fractured shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a concussion or fracture of the skull causing mental instability with memory loss or bipolar disorder and resulting in an aneurysm, headaches, and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) due to additional evidence being needed.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities are denied as they do not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of additional disability resulting from a fall at the VA Medical Center in July 2011.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 30 percent evaluation, effective from the date of her initial claim in August 2007.

Service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches are denied.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches is denied. From May 13, 2017, a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head injury and migraine headaches has been denied as there is no current disability found. The Board notes that the Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosis of residuals of a head injury, and his post-service treatment records also fail to show such a condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches from March 3, 2015, to August 2, 2018, was denied. The Veteran also had his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD and major depressive disorder) denied due to lack of a verified stressor.