Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board is remanding the case for AOJ review of new evidence submitted after the June 2015 Statement of the Case.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for varicose veins of the right leg due to new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for other conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic muscle spasm of the right leg, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis, dermatitis (claimed as skin rash), and headache (claimed as chronic headache).,There is no current evidence to support a diagnosis of chronic muscle spasm of the right leg. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to service.,The Veteran has sensorineural hearing loss that did not begin during service or be related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,Tinnitus was first reported over 25 years after separation from service and is likely a symptom of the Veteran’s existing hearing loss.,Chronic sinusitis is not linked to service as there are no symptoms documented during service. The current diagnosis is too long after service for a link to be established.,The Veteran's dermatitis (claimed as skin rash) was not present during service and is not related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic disease in service or within the initial post-service year. The claim was based on his statements and testimony about having symptoms of nosebleeds and passing out during service which he believed were related to hypertension.,The Board also denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to a VA lumbar myelogram in October 1971, concluding that the Veteran's pre-existing back condition was aggravated by his work-related injuries and not by the procedure.

The Veteran's TBI with vertigo is rated at 70 percent, effective February 6, 2016. A separate rating of 30 percent for vertigo from February 11, 2016 was granted. The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches mixed with migraines are rated at 50 percent.

Entitlement to an effective date prior to February 7, 2014 for the grant of service connection for headaches and TBI is denied.,TDIU granted based on service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disorder and denied service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of cervical spine fracture, bilateral eye condition, bilateral hearing loss, TBI, headaches, weakness on left side of body, and acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is also remanded as there are no current medical opinions linking any diagnosed psychiatric disorders to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding fibromyalgia, fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and headaches. The appeal for an initial compensable rating for status post left forearm injury residuals was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's bladder disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease.,Service connection for headache disability was denied due to lack of current evidence and no identified underlying condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder). The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for mitochondrial disease and muscle weakness, vertigo, tinnitus, chronic fatigue, AAA, gastrointestinal problems, arachnoiditis, enhanced brain meninges and Horton’s syndrome, a chronic headache disability, and cognitive maladies. Additional records are needed from SSA and private sources, and VA medical opinions are required to clarify the disabilities and determine their relationship to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, but the issues of service connection for cervical spine disability and headaches are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his claim of service connection for a cervical strain and also denied his secondary service connection claim for a headache disorder. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted, and there was no evidence linking the current conditions to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral shoulder, hip, knee, ankle disabilities and depression. The claims for left ear hearing loss were reopened based on new evidence received since the April 1985 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a dental disability, left knee disability, bilateral foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, and migraine headaches. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support an in-service event or disease related to any of these disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, but denied service connection for a low back disorder and sinus disorder. The Veteran's GAD with depressive disorder is rated at 50%.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, hypertension, and headaches. The appeals are granted to this extent only.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches prior to June 5, 2018 is denied. The Veteran's claim for a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches on and after June 5, 2018 is granted. The issue of service connection for dizziness (Meniere's Disease) is remanded.

The Veteran's post-concussive headaches result in no more than characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months, which corresponds to a disability rating of 30 percent.