Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The appeals for service connection on the merits of various conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal for substitution has also been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for nosebleeds, stomach condition (gastritis), and headaches have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, service connection remains denied as there is no established chronic disability related to these conditions.,Service connection for left leg fracture was not granted in this decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of migraine headaches due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted, with a separate rating assigned for a painful facial scar.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, left elbow, and right elbow disabilities. The Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or aggravation are not supported by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cluster headaches, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, and a TDIU rating due to the need for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability and granted service connection for headaches, major depressive disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea. The cervical spine disability claim remains denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected, and her right shoulder disability claim has been reopened. The right shoulder disability remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, scars, and a headache disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sleep disorder (to include sleep apnea), cold injury residuals of the hands, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, stroke, craniotomy, and headaches have been denied. The cases are remanded to obtain clarification on the Veteran’s periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, and for further medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unclear dates of Army Reserve service and incomplete STRs. The AOJ is also asked to verify the Veteran’s exposure to radiation while working as a telecommunication specialist near radars at Fort Hood, Texas, and his exposure to herbicides and pesticides while stationed at Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The Veteran's chronic daily headaches, muscle tension type are rated at 50 percent effective March 30, 2013.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to gout, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, back disorder, sleep apnea, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records show he reported and was treated for many of these conditions during his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension, TBI, and migraines are all granted. The hypertension is linked to service due to PTSD. The TBI was incurred in combat. The migraine headaches meet the criteria for a 30% rating.

The Board has granted service connection for an unspecified depressive disorder and residuals of a traumatic brain injury including headaches and mild cognitive impairment with memory loss, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service TBI.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for CFS and headaches, and granted both claims. Service connection is also granted for a cervical spine condition due to exposure to environmental hazards of the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, vertigo, and sleep apnea have been denied. The claim for increased rating of anal fissures has resulted in a grant of a higher initial disability rating to 30 percent. The claim for an increase in the initial rating for migraine headaches remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and ataxia are being remanded due to the need for updated evaluations and potential outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including epidermolysis bullosa Weber-Cockayne variant and foot fungus, is granted as service connected. Service connection for a traumatic brain injury and headache condition are denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is denied, but he is granted a higher rating and TDIU on an extraschedular basis from October 22, 2010. He also receives SMC at the housebound rate due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches are considered to be aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability, and thus he is granted service connection for this condition.