Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative changes and headaches are not related to his military service, but the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches as the evidence did not establish a relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his active duty service.

The Veteran's hypertension rating is dismissed. The lower back disability rating is restored to 40 percent, effective June 17, 2016. Other ratings are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted as his current condition is found to be related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tension headaches, cervical spine IVDS with DDD, LUE radiculopathy, RUE radiculopathy, and sleep disorder has been granted. The effective date of service connection is set at June 19, 2013. A rating of 50 percent for tension headaches is also granted.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis disability, which includes sinus headaches, was granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent prior to January 22, 2014. The condition met the criteria for more than six non-incapacitating episodes per year but did not meet the criteria for incapacitating episodes or surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development and consideration, including obtaining medical records, conducting examinations, and addressing service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, lower back disorder, TBI residuals, migraine headaches, PTSD, and acquired psychiatric condition to include anxiety and depression are not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for congestive heart failure and headaches due to inadequate opinions in the previous VA examination. The case is now pending for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hand tingling and numbness, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder (posttraumatic stress disorder) due to secondary effects of service-connected post-operative residuals of left shoulder dislocation.,Specifically, the VA examiner was requested to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, renal failure, and migraine headaches. The evidence did not establish an in-service event or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted. The claims for service connection for a back disability, skin condition, chronic headaches, and Gulf War Syndrome were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder, lumbar spine, tension headaches (claimed as secondary to neck and back pain), right knee, and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues are related to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for various conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and left knee disabilities, as well as for cirrhosis of liver (hepatitis B), but has remanded the issues regarding right shoulder condition, bilateral foot condition, acid reflux, rashes over body, sinus and headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for dizziness and headaches due to inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran contends that his symptoms are related to in-service acoustic trauma, but the VA examiner did not consider all relevant evidence and lay statements.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature and etiology of her hearing loss, eustachian tube dysfunction, dermatophytosis (toenail fungus), and other conditions.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with various conditions during or since service, including tinnitus, CFS, pericardial effusion, migraine headaches, hearing loss, eustachian tube dysfunction, and toenail fungus. The Board finds that additional evaluations are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The issues of increased ratings for various conditions are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, migraine headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has found that he meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU as of October 10, 2017. However, the case must be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration of entitlement to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to this date.