Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's request for additional vocational rehabilitation and employment benefits, including a change in his long-range goal to obtain a master’s degree in Physics. The decision concluded that achieving maximum rehabilitation gain (MRG) had been met and that changing the long-range goal would not be more likely to improve his situation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss, right elbow disorder, headaches, right and left knee disorders, a right ankle/leg disorder, low back disorder, and psychiatric disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for migraine headaches is denied as the evidence does not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's chronic nerve pain, headaches/migraines, muscle and joint pain, abdominal pain, fatigue condition, low back disorder, hypertension, appendix cancer or residuals of appendix cancer, and right knee disorder are being remanded for further evaluation due to the possibility that they may be related to service, including as part of a Gulf War illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right leg disorder, TBI, and migraine headaches due to a lack of in-service medical records. The Veteran is advised to seek service connection for his hernia separately.

The appeal seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for headaches and dizziness with blackouts is denied.,The appeals seeking to reopen claims of service connection for bronchitis and COPD are granted. The de novo review of these claims is remanded.,The appeal seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for chronic sinusitis is remanded.,The appeal seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for furuncles, migraines, right ankle strain, and right knee strain with shin splints have been remanded due to the need for further investigation into the timing of his initial claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for migraines is being remanded due to the length of time since his last VA examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been granted. The claim for upper back pain is being remanded due to the lack of relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include skin condition, headaches, PTSD, and a sleep problem.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including toenail disorder, toe disorder, headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or a link to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sleep apnea. The Veteran will need to undergo additional examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for GERD and remanded the remaining issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for earlier effective date and higher disability ratings is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for right hip bursitis is granted. Service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and convergence insufficiency (CI) are also granted.,Service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy remains denied, as an updated examination is needed.,The Veteran's TBI is granted, with service connection established based on combat presumption.,Convergence insufficiency (CI) is granted secondary to the Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Service connection for headaches is denied.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the 30 percent evaluation of service-connected chronic headaches, but the Board finds no evidence that his condition worsened within a year prior to September 26, 2014.,The Veteran also seeks an earlier effective date for the 50 percent evaluation of service-connected PTSD. The Board similarly finds no evidence that his condition worsened within a year prior to September 26, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and headaches due to incomplete development. The AOJ is required to complete all requested actions before further consideration.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, Degenerative Arthritis of the Lumbar Spine and Bilateral Radiculopathy, Residuals of TBI, and Tinnitus. The claims are granted to this extent. However, due to new evidence received since the last denial, the Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection for Hearing Loss and Left Eye Injury.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, Migraine Headaches, Allergic Rhinitis, Sleep Disorder, and Fatigue due to new and material evidence. The appeals are granted in part.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 7, 2014 and a higher disability rating for migraine headache are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence.