Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches, sinus disorder, and right knee disorder as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and service.

The Veteran's penicillin allergy was aggravated during service, and his migraine headaches began during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for lower back disability, back disability, bilateral foot disability, varicocele, sleep apnea, urethritis, headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as secondary to service connected disabilities) have been dismissed due to the Veteran's requests to withdraw his appeals on these issues.

The Board denied service connection for chronic headache disorder as there was no evidence linking the current condition to service, including in-service headaches. The Veteran failed to attend scheduled VA examinations and did not provide any nexus between his service and his headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of the Veteran's flare-ups. The Veteran is also advised that his claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a cervical spine disorder are referred to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for clarification.

The Veteran's migraine headaches resulted in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining additional records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,A 10 percent disability rating is granted for bilateral plantar fasciitis, with pain on manipulation and use of the feet.

The claims for service connection of tuberculosis, heart disease, left and right knee conditions, and headache condition have been denied.,Claims for increased evaluations of tinnitus and earlier effective dates for service connection of tinnitus and hearing loss have also been denied.

The Veteran's syncope and vasovagal reaction are not service-connected.,IBS and diverticulitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.,Bilateral ingrown toenails, multiple nevi on back, and eczema do not warrant higher evaluations.,Left shoulder strain does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,Obstructive sleep apnea requires use of a CPAP machine but does not warrant a higher rating.,Migraines are evaluated based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, meeting the criteria for a 50% evaluation.,Major depressive disorder with insomnia meets the criteria for a 70% evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his migraines, major depressive disorder with anxious distress (PTSD, anxiety disorder, memory loss), and traumatic brain injury. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to its inextricability from the other issues.

The Board has denied service connection for GERD and PTSD, but has remanded the claims for tinea versicolor, migraine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability (other than PTSD).,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective from August 20, 2013 to April 5, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The case is REMANDED for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of her migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for headaches, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative facet arthropathy have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for hypertension has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at the maximum 50 percent disability rating, which is considered severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), migraine headaches, diverticulitis with surgical scar and hemicolectomy, hypertension secondary to diverticulitis, and depression secondary to diverticulitis have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI and migraines, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations. The Veteran contends that his symptoms have worsened since previous evaluations.