Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of inner ear condition, headaches and dizziness, sleep apnea, and residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and seizures, but has remanded both issues for further development. The petition to reopen service connection for mild arthritis of the lumbar spine is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The claim for Hepatitis C was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the PTSD claim resulted in a 70% disability rating effective October 19, 2011.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, surgical scars of the low back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative disc and joint disease of the low back, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), and PTSD. The remand includes obtaining updated VA treatment records, conducting new examinations to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's disabilities, and providing a new rating for his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, a right bicep/arm condition, and high blood pressure have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection has not been granted for migraine headaches as there is no direct or secondary evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,Service connection claims for a low back condition, hysterectomy, migraine headaches, PTSD, and hypertension remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, left knee chondromalacia patella, tension headaches, and psychiatric disability (Generalized anxiety disorder and Anxiety disorder NOS). A rating of 10 percent but no more for hypertension is also granted. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinnitus has been withdrawn.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate evidence regarding whether the Veteran requires a higher level of care for his service-connected disabilities, including Traumatic Brain Injury, PTSD, and chronic headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen a previous denial of service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a restoration of the 30 percent rating for migraine headaches since July 1, 2017 is granted. The reduction in rating from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper due to conflicting evidence regarding the frequency and severity of his migraines.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple claims for service connection, with the majority of issues being remanded due to incomplete records and need for further examination.,Service connection is sought for a variety of conditions including low back disability, right ankle/heel disability, nerve damage of the right foot, neck/cervical spine disability, neurologic impairment of upper/lower extremities, recurrent high fevers, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold intolerance, liver disability, jaundice, prostate disability, kidney disability, blood in urine, frequent urination, Parkinson's disease, spinal meningitis, and chronic headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral knee disability, joint pain, chronic fatigue syndrome and headaches has been granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral ankle and lower leg pain (claimed as joint pain), and headaches have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), sleep disorder (obstructive sleep apnea), bilateral hearing loss, and epilepsy due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for a right knee disability, insomnia, migraine headaches, and depression based on new evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, TBI, migraine headaches, and PTSD were all denied or had their effective dates denied.

The Veteran's appeal of the claim for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of service connection for recurrent epistaxis and an increased rating for GERD.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 13, 2013, for service connection of various conditions have been denied as a matter of law due to the preclusion of VA compensation while on active duty. The Board also remanded several issues related to chest pain and other disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for memory loss, migraines, and PTSD have all been denied. The current rating of 70% for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis with history of right frontal headaches should be remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the sleep apnea is caused or aggravated by the sinusitis.