Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's TBI and headaches are being remanded for further evaluation due to the overlap in symptoms with his PTSD. The reduction of a 10 percent rating for headaches is also under review.

The Veteran's migraines were found to average once a month over the last several months prior and since the March 2015 VA examination, qualifying for an initial rating of 30 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, lower back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition must be remanded to obtain additional information and evidence.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus, finding that there was no medical evidence linking the migraines to the tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and a mental health condition (unspecified anxiety disorder).,All three conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable rating for migraines and TDIU due to incompletion of development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling another VA compensation examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability rating and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for anxiety disorder, left hip disability, and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal on the increased rating claim for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's asthma and candida esophagitis with gastritis are both rated at 10 percent, but his migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for further medical opinion regarding his exposure to hazardous waste chemicals.

The Veteran's current diagnosis of migraine headaches is found to be incurred during active service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected vascular and tension headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to September 21, 2016, and 50 percent from that date. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for her service-connected headaches.,The Veteran's residuals of bilateral bunionectomy are currently rated at 30 percent. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to May 12, 2016, remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right and left leg disorders, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, GERD, erectile dysfunction, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any currently present TBI, headache disability, and respiratory disability. The Veteran's service records do not contain evidence of a head injury or TBI during his active service. However, he contends that he was struck in the head by a flying speaker during a hurricane in 1961 and had difficulty breathing after being exposed to asbestos while serving aboard a ship.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, achilles tendonitis, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, edema of the lower extremities, residuals of a head injury, migraine headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica of the left leg, and psychiatric disorder manifested by a head injury, all related to Reserve service. The Board found that there was no evidence of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his claims of service connection for headaches, hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The appeals will be readjudicated after the completion of the requested development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for tinnitus, head injury (TBI), and headache disorder. The Board finds the Veteran has credible evidence of in-service events that support these claims. However, his claims for right total knee replacement, left ankle fracture, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are remanded as there is insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spine, and a headache disability, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current migraines and her active duty. The Board gave more probative weight to the VA opinion.

The Veteran's initial ratings for genital warts and herpes simplex II, as well as tension headaches, have been granted. The case is remanded for further examinations to address the issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, cervical intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, left hand degenerative joint disease, and primary insomnia.