Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and migraine headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.,An earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance was also denied.

The Veteran's post-operative deviated nasal septum residuals are granted as service connected. The issues of service connection for recurrent headache disability, sinus disability, and gastrointestinal disability due to asbestos exposure are remanded.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine headaches prior to October 23, 2018 was granted at a 30 percent level. The issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The appeal for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral tinnitus is dismissed. Headaches are not productive of prostrating attacks and do not warrant a compensable rating. Service connection for left knee strain and right knee disability is denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during service or related to service. The Veteran's current right knee disability is remanded due to the lack of a diagnosis in the medical records.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities, finding that his current conditions are related to his active duty service.,Service connection was denied for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD and depression NOS), as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability was denied as the evidence did not support that her headaches began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for night tremors was denied as there was no evidence showing they began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for left knee disability, skin disorder, and headache disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to headaches, sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and respiratory issues have been reopened. The appeals are granted in part.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, psychiatric disorder, substance abuse, HIV infection, brain disease (aneurysm), kidney disorder, and disability manifested by weight loss are all granted. The claim for seizures is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, migraine headaches, conjunctivitis, and sinusitis have been granted. Additionally, the Veteran has been awarded a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability, migraine headache disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete records from her National Guard service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions on a direct basis.

The Veteran is granted TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The case for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is remanded as the VA has not obtained all relevant private treatment records from Emory University.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims for various conditions, as he did not timely file a substantive appeal within the required time frame.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, neck disability, and low back disability. Service connection is also remanded for right clavicle tumor, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and chronic fatigue syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's reports of a worsening cervical spine disability and related symptoms require an updated VA examination. The issues include rating adjustments for various disabilities, including those affecting the upper extremities, shoulders, head, and jaw.

The Veteran's initial increased evaluations for headaches and cervical strain with IVDS are denied as the evidence does not show characteristic prostrating attacks or incapacitating episodes of sinusitis.,Initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for cervical strain with IVDS are also denied due to lack of findings meeting specific criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. The RO must obtain updated VA treatment records from various facilities and associate them with the claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, anxiety disorder, headaches, a head scar, and fibromyalgia have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during his June 2019 Board hearing.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected headaches has also been dismissed.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a compensable rating for tinea pedis, migraines, and service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the appellant's withdrawal of these issues.

The Veteran's arthritis and fibromyalgia were not shown to have started during service or be related to any in-service injury, disease, or exposure. His headaches were also not found to be related to service or his service-connected nasal fracture.