Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection, as they started during his military service and continue to occur. His adjustment disorder with depression is also granted service connection, as it was aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder and a chronic headache disability, with the headaches being secondary to the major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, residuals of a stroke, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) as there was no evidence to support these conditions during her active duty or within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new and relevant evidence added to the record since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case in June 2018.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and a 30 percent rating for chronic mixed-feature headaches is granted. The issue of TDIU has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, tinnitus, and tension headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for the low back injury is reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial in 2012. Service connection has also been established for tinnitus and tension headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, tinnitus, and a respiratory disorder (claimed as asbestosis) is partially granted. The claims of service connection for fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chronic headaches, sleep apnea, and psychiatric disorders are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, as well as his claim for TDIU. The appeals are being returned to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for tinnitus was denied.,Service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder and migraine headaches is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for right wrist, eye, and migraine headache disabilities. The Veteran's claim of PTSD is also remanded as the examiner needs to determine if it was caused by a sexual assault during his honorable period of service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for shoulder pain, neck pain, and migraines due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran will need to provide updated treatment records from his private providers and undergo a VA examination.

The Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst was diagnosed during her active service and is granted as service connected. The claims for increased ratings of bilateral plantar fasciitis, left great toe hallux valgus, and headache disability are remanded due to new evidence indicating worsening.

The Board has determined that the provided medical opinions are inadequate and requires an addendum to address whether the Veteran's headaches and left foot disability are proximately due or result from her service-connected bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including epicondylitis of the left elbow, right shoulder tendonitis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a left Achilles tendon rupture, mild fibrosis of the lung, residuals of cholecystectomy (gall bladder removal), Crohn's disease (irritable bowel syndrome), residuals of an emergency internal hemorrhoidectomy, colon cancer with polyp, and residuals of bile duct surgery. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran claimed his conditions were due to radiation exposure during service, but the VA did not find any credible evidence supporting this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches secondary to his service-connected TMJ dysfunction with bruxism have been granted. However, the issues of whether these conditions are aggravated by the service-connected condition remain unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and PTSD have been granted increased evaluations of 50% and 70%, respectively, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cardiac disability, hemorrhoids, thyroid disability, and headache disability due to outstanding VA and SSA records.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus was denied, with the Board finding that the disability did not meet or approximate criteria warranting a higher than 20 percent rating prior to December 17, 2015 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.,A compensable rating (10%) was granted for headaches associated with hypertension. The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for MDD and PTSD from August 11, 2009 until February 23, 2012 was granted, with a maximum of 50 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for MDD and PTSD from February 23, 2012 to April 17, 2017 was granted at the maximum schedular rating (70%), based on occupational and social impairment due to deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted for a left knee disability, migraines, and right foot degenerative osteoarthritis. The claim for a left foot disability is denied. Service connection has also been granted for a lumbar spine disability but not for cervical degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran's right foot condition was found to be service-connected due to pre-existing conditions aggravated by active duty, and her migraines were found to have no direct link to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, right ear hearing loss disability, lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and headache due to potential errors in the previous VA examinations. The Veteran's current conditions are being reviewed with a focus on their onset during service or their relationship to service.