Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for fracture laceration of the left ring finger and hearing loss in both ears remains pending. The Board has found that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran’s claims for service connection for migraine headaches and diabetes mellitus (claimed as due to herbicide exposure) are remanded, as the previous examination did not consider relevant medical history.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for headaches, coronary artery disease, generalized anxiety disorder, and hypertension have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not submit a claim or new and material evidence within one year of the relevant decisions.,No indication of an attempt to reopen prior claims was found by the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for hypertension, migraines, and sciatica due to the need for further development including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic pain, a back disability, headaches, sciatica, and depression and anxiety as secondary to Legg Perthes disease due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411. The Board finds that his PTSD does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of migraine headaches is related to his service, specifically the head injury he sustained during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's headaches are secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (anxiety and depression).

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, as there is insufficient evidence to determine eligibility for accrued benefits or service connection for the cause of death. The appellant must provide clear documentation regarding her educational pursuits after reaching the age of 18 years.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened. The Veteran's PTSD is being remanded for a new examination to determine the current severity of her disability and whether it is aggravated by her headaches. Her headaches are also being remanded for an opinion on whether they are related to her military service or caused by her PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic back disorder was denied as new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim.,Service connection for cardiovascular disease (to include hypertension) was also denied, with no indication of an in-service event or disease that could be linked to the condition.

The Board has denied service connection for vertigo and initial compensable disability ratings for bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, and headaches. The appeal is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorders, left rib separation, bilateral glaucoma, and numbness of the hands, have been denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development, including an addendum VA opinion regarding the aggravation of migraine headaches by PTSD.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disorder, gynecological disorder (manifested by dysmenorrhea), TBI (memory loss), and migraine headaches have been reopened. However, the Board has found no current evidence of these conditions during her military service or since separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, tinnitus, hearing loss, TBI, and headaches, rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected conditions precluded him from securing such employment.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for headaches since March 3, 2012 on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder and cervical spine conditions, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to duty-to-assist errors. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for post-traumatic headaches remains pending.

The Board has determined that the March 2019 VA examiner's opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new, comprehensive VA medical opinion with a different provider to determine if the Veteran’s migraine headaches were caused or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, respiratory disability (sinusitis), right shoulder disability, left hand and finger anesthesia, left little finger fracture, left thumb fracture, and cervical spine spondylosis with degenerative disc disease.