Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for hearing loss, TBI, and headaches as secondary to TBI due to new evidence received. The Veteran's exposure during service is not specified.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for seizure disorder, headache disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The effective dates for the grants of service connection are being considered as well.

The Veteran's maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and sinus headaches are granted a 50% rating effective December 12, 2015. The claim of an initial compensable rating for nasal septal deviation is denied. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating for obstructive sleep apnea is denied. The claim of entitlement to a higher rating for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's claims, particularly concerning his acquired psychiatric disability and service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received.,Service connection for dysthymic disorder was also denied as there is no evidence linking it to service. The Veteran’s current dysthymic disorder developed many years after discharge from service.,The Veteran's claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss prior to August 13, 2013 was not granted due to the lack of evidence showing an increase in severity since his last VA examination in December 2010. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from that date.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss after August 13, 2013 was also denied as the evidence did not show an increase in severity beyond what was already considered. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his bilateral hearing loss.,The Veteran's claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as he does not meet the required percentage ratings and there is no evidence showing that he cannot secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain, limitation of flexion is denied. A separate 20 percent disability rating for left knee strain, limitation of extension from September 29, 2015, through June 10, 2016, and a separate 10 percent disability rating for left knee strain, limitation of extension from September 20, 2018, are granted. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD claim is denied due to unverified stressors. The cataract, bilateral cortical and dermatochalasis claims are remanded for further development as they are inextricably intertwined with his tension headaches claim. The skin disability claim is also remanded for an examination regarding HPV.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and review due to unclear information regarding flare-ups in the low back disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for headaches, as they are claimed to be secondary to a service-connected back disability. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's headache disability is proximately due to or permanently aggravated by his service-connected IVDS with spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, facet arthropathy, and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded three issues for further development: headaches, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral shoulder pain (including cervical spine condition with radiating pain to the shoulders). The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disorder, left varicocele, epistaxis (claimed as nosebleeds), and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran will be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and cause of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a headache disability, sinus disability, eye disability, hepatitis, and hepatocellular carcinoma due to unresolved issues regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD has been reopened and is now considered for service connection. The Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for headaches, dizziness, and an equilibrium condition but denied these claims as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active service.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type. Service connection was denied for neck pain and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether new evidence is sufficient to grant these claims. The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus and headaches, while his claims for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, acid reflux (secondary to PTSD), and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD) are still pending.,The Veteran's low back condition claim remains denied as there is no new evidence provided that relates the current disability to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for loss of sense of smell, taste, sinusitis, hypertension, and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,Service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses related to the claimed conditions until after separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part. Service connection has been established for left shoulder condition, cervical spine condition (claimed as cervical spondylosis and stenosis), lumbar spinal stenosis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, peripheral vestibular disorder, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, cardiovascular disease, headache condition, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection has been reopened for alcoholism and drug abuse. Other claims have been denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional VA examination and opinions regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for an undiagnosed illness resulting in fatigue, headaches, and joint pain due to Gulf War hazards.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.