Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for muscle tension headaches effective June 1, 2008. He also received a rating of 30 percent for his adjustment disorder with anxiety from June 29, 2015 to January 12, 2017 and 70 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his adjustment disorder was denied in part, as he did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during certain periods.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's left elbow, back, and left knee disabilities due to lack of compliance with recent court decisions. The ratings for hypertension and migraines have also been remanded as they were last evaluated more than six years ago.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip disorder, erectile dysfunction (ED), acquired psychiatric disorder, fatigue, and migraine headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied service connection for heart disability, headache disability, sleep disability, acquired psychiatric disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no probative evidence of current disabilities. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder pain, joint pain, left leg disability, and migraine headache disabilities due to a lack of VA compensation examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations in order to determine if he currently has any pain that results in functional loss with respect to his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's effective date for DEA benefits is denied as he did not have a total and permanent service-connected disability rating prior to March 31, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's memory loss is related to his in-service head injury, which he contends is a TBI.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and headaches were dismissed due to the absence of an adequate substantive appeal. The Board lacks jurisdiction over these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches/migraines, Barrette's esophagus, diverticulitis, and internal hemorrhoids/polyps have been denied. However, his claim for service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy associated with L5-S1 low back disability has been reopened but remains pending due to the need for further review.

The Board has remanded multiple claims for service connection and evaluations, including those related to the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, right shoulder, cervical spine, left leg, right leg, bilateral eye, sleep-related symptoms, prostate, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, migraine headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The remand also includes a request for additional medical records from SSA and VA.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI is reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further examination and medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any current TBI or concussion.

The Veteran's condition was severe enough that he needed immediate medical attention, and the closest VA facility was not feasibly available. Therefore, payment for his medical expenses at SMH is granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The cases for higher disability ratings for PTSD and migraines are remanded.

The Veteran's mental health disability, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder with PTSD and depressive features, is granted. Service connection for migraine headaches is also granted.

The Veteran's lower back pain is granted service connection. The AOJ must obtain a new medical opinion for the remaining issues.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including a low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep disorder, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral leg disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, and headaches are all remanded for further development.