Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted. The claims for service connection for other conditions have not been reopened.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and recurring headaches, finding that his pre-existing condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression, anxiety, and PTSD), pleural effusions, asthma, sleep apnea, pseudobulbar affect, stroke residuals, thyroid tumor, atrial fibrillation, and headaches. The decision also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased rating for PTSD, service connection for migraines, and service connection for hypertension due to incomplete responses in the December 2017 DBQ report and lack of clear and unmistakable evidence regarding pre-existing conditions.

Service connection for skin rashes, chronic headaches, CFS, lower gastrointestinal disorder (internal bleeding), sleep apnea, and insomnia is granted.,An initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of low back condition, fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, and weight loss was dismissed. Service connection was granted for an unspecified trauma-related disorder but denied for stomach condition and headaches.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for migraines, effective April 24, 2015. The Veteran's migraines are characterized as very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability that began during service or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches with aura and photophobia is granted effective June 6, 2014. The appeal regarding the remanded issues (liver disorder, left knee disability, right knee disability, and PTSD) is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for asthma, erectile dysfunction, tremors, muscle tension headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and depression have been granted. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims of sleep apnea, headaches, and right ear hearing loss due to incomplete Reserve personnel records. A medical opinion is also needed for the right ear hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's skin conditions, tinnitus, and headaches are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran reported experiencing symptoms of these conditions during or shortly after his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for post-traumatic headache due to traumatic brain injury is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoporosis, hypertension, left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and headaches due to the need for additional development. The Veteran is asked to provide necessary releases so that VA can obtain private medical records from a Wilmington, North Carolina VA clinic.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, headaches as secondary to sinusitis, acne of the left upper extremity, and adjustment disorder with depressed mood are granted effective from August 26, 2010. The RO did not address these conditions in prior decisions but evidence received during the development process reasonably raised claims for these disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have worsened, but the VA examiner found that they do not impact her ability to work. The Board finds insufficient evidence and requires a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and inadequate efforts to obtain them. The RO must attempt to secure his military treatment records from 2007-2008.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury as the evidence does not support a current diagnosis and no relationship to in-service injury is shown.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and exposure to burn pits during service.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type two was denied as the evidence does not support a link to service. Claims for right and left foot disabilities and migraines were reopened due to new and material evidence. However, no service connection was granted for these conditions. The Veteran's scar of the right ear remains rated at 10 percent.

Service connection is denied for sleep apnea and hypotension. Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder and PTSD), and headache disability.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of these conditions are related to his active duty service.