Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and head injury with headaches and memory loss have been reopened. However, the Board has determined that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.,Service connection was denied for neck disability and acquired psychiatric disorder (depression, PTSD, anxiety).

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date prior to December 4, 2016 for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches. The claim was filed on that date and there were no previous claims or documents indicating intent to file a claim for benefits related to migraine headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral foot corns and callosities, headaches, arthritis (both knees), and major depressive disorder are all granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities remain denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea, and tension headaches due to inextricably intertwined issues with the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus, hypertension, and a cerebrovascular accident (claimed as stroke).

The Board denied service connection for stomach/digestive disorder and headaches, both of which the Veteran claimed were due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence did not support a link between these conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and higher ratings was dismissed due to withdrawal. The RO granted a 20% rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, PTSD prior to May 21, 2012, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, with the exception of sleep apnea being granted. The remaining issues were either not reopened or denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to inadequate or incomplete examinations, insufficient evidence of record, and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to provide an updated VA examination and consider the severity of his service-connected migraine headache disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches due to Gulf War hazards as due to an undiagnosed illness is not reopened and denied.,Service connection for COPD is granted, with the condition related to environmental exposure during military service. The claim for service connection for abnormal liver disability is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The claim for increased rating for back disorder was also denied as the evidence did not show a chronic disability in service or establish that any current condition is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic urticaria and residuals of a right orbital bone fracture have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, these claims remain denied as there is no established link between the conditions and service.,Claims for migraine headaches and rhinitis (secondary to service-connected fracture of the nose) are also denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are characterized as prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a higher 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is rated at 10 percent, but no more. The lumbar strain and bilateral knee disorders are each rated at 10 percent.,PTSD was granted a 70 percent rating prior to January 31, 2014, with the possibility of an increased rating from that date onwards.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various psychiatric, hearing, back, hypertension, migraine headaches, tinnitus, shoulder, frostbite, circulatory problems, lymphadenopathy and TBI disorders have been reopened. However, the claims remain denied as there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, residuals of a right hip fracture, chronic kidney disease, and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including residuals of clival meningioma and related conditions, are being remanded due to her failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's psychiatric disability is not service-connected.,Her left and right knee disabilities are not service-connected.,Her back and neck disabilities are not service-connected.,Her respiratory, cardiovascular, GERD, benign neoplasm/lipoma removal, and migraines are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed for his claim of an increased evaluation for bilateral tinnitus. His claim to reopen a service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted, but the Board must remand all other issues due to new evidence received since the last final denial in 2004.