Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches has been granted at a 30 percent level, effective December 6, 2012. Service connection was denied for benign neoplasm of the respiratory system, malignant neoplasm of the ear, malignant neoplasm of the endocrine system, muscle neoplasm, CFS, sleep apnea, A-V block, chronic cholelithiasis, chronic liver disease, prostate infection, Hodgkin's disease, and chronic adjustment disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, tension headaches, idiopathic peripheral neuropathy, and memory loss. These conditions are believed to be related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for back, bilateral leg, and bilateral knee disorders are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The issues have not been decided on the merits.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a stomach disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), headaches, nerve damage to the right wrist, and chronic anxiety reaction with psychological gastrointestinal complaints due to insufficient examination reports addressing whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and headaches as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the medical opinions found no link between current conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and memory loss) due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is presumed exposed to burning oil wells during his deployment in Southwest Asia, but no definitive link between these conditions and service has been established.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction due to their association with the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The claims of entitlement to service connection for other conditions are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, particularly regarding his claimed psychiatric disability. The effective date of service connection for headaches associated with TBI remains denied.

The Veteran's current symptoms of headaches, dizziness, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and memory loss are not related to his in-service mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Board finds that the residuals of the Veteran’s mild TBI resolved in service.

The Board denied service connection for sinusitis, denied earlier effective dates for migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis, denied an increased rating for allergic rhinitis, and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, CFS, migraines, sleep apnea, and low back disability are all granted. Service connection for PTSD is granted but with a remand for an initial rating determination.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and requires VA medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's headaches are service-connected as secondary to his major depressive disorder. The Board also granted TDIU based on the Veteran's major depressive disorder and other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous VA examination and for the Veteran to provide any outstanding medical records.

The appeal concerning earlier effective date of June 7, 1993 for the grant of service connection for traumatic brain injury is dismissed. The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and an effective date prior to July 2, 2014 for TBI are remanded.

Service connection for a right shoulder disability and neurological disorder of the lower extremities (claimed numbness of the bilateral feet) is denied.,Effective dates prior to September 18, 2012, for the grant of service connection for cervicalgia, numbness of the left hand, cervicalgia, numbness of the right hand, and migraine headaches are not warranted.

The Veteran's PTSD, tinnitus, and other service-connected conditions are currently rated based on their severity.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the service connection claims, as there are limited VA treatment records from the relevant time period. The Veteran's disabilities have been treated at the Leavenworth VA Medical Center since 2001.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since they cause very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for migraine headaches, sleep apnea, and depressive disorder was granted. The claim for right ankle strain associated with pes planus is being remanded.