Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate development and examination reports. The VA is required to obtain additional records, schedule examinations, and provide adequate opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder condition, low back condition, tinnitus, and migraines (chronic headaches with prostrating attacks).,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to the Veteran's claimed conditions that began during his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, headaches secondary to TBI, and left arm numbness secondary to TBI need further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's GERD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's migraines are currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board found that a compensable rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's cervical degenerative disc disease with postoperative residuals is not rated higher than 20 percent, and his total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to December 21, 2011. The Board found that his employment termination was due to personal reasons and not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and effective dates is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records. The issues of TDIU are also inextricably intertwined with the rating claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, blood in feces, red blood cells in urine/bladder, and an enlarged prostate, as these conditions are not related to his active duty service or exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right kidney lesion and remanded his claim for service connection for headaches with nausea and vertigo. The decision on the right kidney lesion claim is that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty service. For the headaches claim, a VA examination is needed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal by his representative.,The Veteran’s claims for TBI, left thumb, ring, and little finger disabilities, lumbosacral spine disability, migraines associated with TBI, residual scars from TBI, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, and service connection for residuals of left ulnar nerve transposition in the left arm are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a TBI, chronic headache disorder (migraine and tension headaches), and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) are all granted. The claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is remanded.

The Veteran's cervical strain and chronic muscle tension headaches have been rated, but the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if higher ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's appeal for chronic diarrhea was dismissed as he withdrew the claim during his hearing.,His appeals for hypertension and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were also dismissed due to lack of timely substantive appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, chronic headache disability, and acquired psychiatric disability. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries related to these conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were first observed during active service and are considered to have started there. The Board found the Veteran's testimony credible, linking his current headache disability to his in-service symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding the circumstances of the Veteran's fall and death, which is necessary to determine if his service-connected disabilities contributed to his cause of death.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim of service connection for duodenal ulcer, entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical disc disease, secondary service connection for headaches, and secondary service connection for depression. The Veteran's earlier effective date for TDIU was granted on September 8, 2008.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete records from private facilities where he received treatment. The VA must request copies of his records from these facilities and provide him with an opportunity to respond.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and additional medical opinions are needed.

This decision grants service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to PTSD, headaches as secondary to PTSD and tinnitus, but denies a higher rating for tinnitus. It also grants service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus effective from December 26, 2013.,Service connection is denied for the Veteran's bilateral foot condition.