Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bronchitis with shortness of breath, sexual disorder (low sex drive), and headaches. Additionally, the rating for major depressive disorder with chronic sleep impairment from September 15, 2011 to October 23, 2015 is also being remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches and remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus II, diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities, peripheral vascular disease of both lower extremities, hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disorder due to potential herbicide exposure during service. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints related to GERD in service.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a low back disability, right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep disability, headaches, an increased rating for a right ankle disability, and an earlier effective date for PTSD. The RO is instructed to issue supplemental statements of the case on these issues.

The Veteran's skin disorder and TBI-related headaches have been denied service connection, with the Board finding no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches are granted service connection. The lower back disability and right leg and foot disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss (left ear), and headaches were granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of a diagnosis conforming to DSM-5 criteria. The claim for service connection for hearing loss (left ear) was denied as there is no current disability. The claim for service connection for headaches was granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran's left hip strain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as there was no evidence of more severe symptoms.,The Veteran's tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating due to the lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, depressive disorder, headaches, and hypertension as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected chronic bronchitis. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination regarding the evaluation of the service-connected chronic bronchitis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left shoulder tendonitis was denied, but her TDIU claim was granted. The Veteran is currently employed in part-time positions and at the state fair, but her service-connected disabilities have impacted her ability to perform work-related tasks.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, hypertension, and chronic headache disorder are granted. The claim for a right foot disorder (excluding residuals of a right ankle fracture) is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic kidney disease, migraine headaches, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes. Service connection for low back disability was denied. The Veteran's diabetes is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is limited to the issue of service connection for headaches. The Board has remanded this issue due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for an addendum opinion regarding continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claim for migraine headaches was granted with an effective date of March 5, 1998. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was denied and is not currently under consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, headache disorder, sleep disorder/insomnia, unspecified neurological disorder, and psychiatric disorder including anxiety, depression, and nervousness due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches as of April 29, 2011. The decision is based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's skin disability, headache disorder, and right hip disability were granted initial ratings. The left ankle and right ankle disabilities were denied increased ratings.

The Board has determined that the effective date for the grant of a separate 10 percent rating for cranial nerve VII due to Frey Syndrome should not be earlier than March 2, 2015. The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.,Further examination is required to determine if the Veteran has a current psychiatric disorder, TBI, headache disorder, vision disorder, or hypertension that is related to his military service.