Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's respiratory/pulmonary problems, heart condition (coronary artery disease), hypertension, circulatory condition, skin condition, recurrent headaches, eye condition and vision problems, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and psychiatric condition are not related to his military service.,The Veteran's current disabilities do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and GERD are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes, hypertension, neuropathy of the feet and legs, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and depression due to potential exposure to herbicides while serving on ships off the coast of Vietnam. The claim for service connection for a headache condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a total disability rating based on unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for muscle and joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, a skin disorder (claimed as acne), and headaches. The claims were based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied as the new evidence received does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims, and there is no clear and unmistakable evidence to rebut the presumption of soundness for pre-existing disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hip disabilities and psychiatric disorders, have been reopened. The cases are remanded to determine the appropriate service connection based on new evidence.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection and rated at 30%. The rating for fibromyalgia is denied. PTSD ratings prior to February 4, 2015, are denied. PTSD ratings from February 4, 2015, are also denied. An earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for fibromyalgia is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a cervical spine disability and headaches due to incomplete opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also remanded as no statement of the case has been issued.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at the maximum allowable under the rating criteria, which is a 50% disability rating. The Board found that her very frequent and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability meet the criteria for this rating.

The Board denied service connection for migraines, finding that the Veteran's migraines are not related to his active duty service and are not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD or tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be the primary cause of his headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder, leading to a grant of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for headaches was denied as there were no other pending, unadjudicated claims prior to January 28, 2013. The earliest possible effective date is January 28, 2013.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication, including obtaining additional VA treatment records and addressing whether referral for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Veteran's death prevented the Appellant from receiving accrued benefits due to her late filing of a claim for posttraumatic stress disorder and other conditions. The Veteran was not a Nehmer class member as he did not have any covered herbicide diseases, and thus retroactive benefits could not be awarded.

The Veteran's PTSD, alcohol dependence, headaches, cirrhosis of the liver, GI disorder, bilateral knee disorder, kidney disease, spleen disorder, hypertension, keratoderma (a skin condition), and sleep disorder are all secondary to his service-connected conditions.,The VA has not provided sufficient evidence regarding the onset or causation of the Veteran's GI disorder, bilateral knee disorder, kidney disease, spleen disorder, hypertension, keratoderma (a skin condition), and sleep disorder. The Veteran’s hepatitis C is also under review for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lung disorder, alcoholism, and panic disorder with associated depression and agoraphobia are granted. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and depression due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on his assertions of in-service trauma.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The claim of service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination. The claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is also being remanded.