Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's benign essential tremor of the left upper extremity, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and a chronic headache disorder are all granted service connection due to presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cervical spine disability claim is being reopened, but further examination and opinion are needed regarding the right upper arm/shoulder disability, myofascial pain syndrome (MPS), and migraines.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee condition, muscle condition, and headaches as there is no evidence showing that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a total right knee arthroplasty, degenerative disc disease of the lower back, hypertension, migraine headaches (secondary to tinnitus), and depressive disorder secondary to degenerative disc disease was granted. The effective date is set at the date of receipt of the petition to reopen.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for cluster headaches and PTSD, as well as the effective dates for service connection and TDIU, were denied.,A 50% rating was maintained for cluster headaches, with no extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD, a TDIU based on service-connected disabilities, and denied service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent under the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) to include headaches, dizziness, and acquired psychiatric disorders was granted. The Board also remanded the issues regarding whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for entitlement to service connection for a disability of the eyes and hypertension, as well as the issue of entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The appeal is denied as the notice of disagreement was not timely filed, and all claims were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for low back disorder, right knee disorder, and various skin conditions are remanded due to the need for new evidence or clarification of veteran status. Claims for numbness in arms and legs as well as a headache and nerve condition related to Camp Lejeune exposure are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include schizophrenia), but denied service connection for a stomach condition, headaches, and a sleep disorder. An effective date of April 28, 2013, was assigned for the grant of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and remanded the issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder and peptic ulcer. The case is returned to the Board after completion of further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities for which he is seeking service connection, and therefore, his claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease and migraines is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches is being remanded due to conflicting reports of his headache symptoms and the need for updated VA examination records.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, respiratory/lung/breathing disability (to include COPD and/or bronchial asthma), sleep apnea, diarrhea, right ear disability, left ear disability, back disability, joint pain, and muscle pain are granted as new and material evidence has been received. However, the underlying claims of service connection for these conditions remain denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and migraine headaches due to the need for further evidentiary development, including new VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including traumatic brain injury with memory loss and dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, nasal fracture residuals, and scar from nasal surgery, have rendered him unemployable. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's left shoulder and right shoulder osteoarthritis, unspecified depressive disorder, hypertension, hepatitis C, headache, diabetes mellitus type II, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity are all granted service connection.,Service connection for sleep apnea is granted as secondary to the Veteran's now service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.