Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

Service connection is denied for a lumbar spine disorder.,Service connection is granted for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia.,An effective date of September 12, 2011, but no earlier, has been granted for service connection for headaches. The Veteran's informal claim was received on that date.,The effective date for the award of service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied as it cannot be earlier than December 21, 2011.,The effective date for the award of service connection for sleep apnea is denied as it cannot be earlier than December 21, 2011.,The effective date for the award of service connection for tinnitus is denied as it cannot be earlier than December 21, 2011.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for headaches, as secondary to a now service-connected deviated septum. Additional development is required due to incomplete examination reports and the need for an addendum examination.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of a nose injury, including headaches, nausea, dizziness, hearing loss and tinnitus. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to the Veteran's inability to attend VA examinations and the need for additional medical records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for headaches, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and a back condition due to insufficient development of evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for TBI residuals and basic eligibility for VA non-service-connected pension benefits due to a lack of proper notification regarding the rescheduled VA examination. The appeal is pending until these issues are resolved.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for migraine headaches from May 27, 2016 to June 5, 2017 is denied as his migraines did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches, including as due to a Gulf War undiagnosed illness, should be remanded. The decision is based on the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evaluations are needed for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, as well as to address his claims regarding PTSD and major depressive disorder. The appeals will be remanded.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted a 50% rating effective April 10, 2012. His cervical spine disability with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is granted increased ratings of 20%, 30%, and 20% for the right and left upper extremities respectively from July 14, 2017.

The claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches is granted. The claim of entitlement to service connection for occipital neuralgia is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to his death prior to the issuance of an appellate decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hallux valgus, finding that it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left foot disability. The case is remanded for further examination and rating considerations.

The Veteran's headaches prior to April 19, 2012 were not characterized by prostrating attacks averaging once in two months over the last several months.,Since April 19, 2012, the Veteran’s headaches result in prostrating attacks that occur several times a month for approximately an hour. However, his headaches are not productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for eczema and migraines due to insufficient medical evidence on which to base an opinion regarding their etiology. The Veteran's PTSD is granted with a 50% rating effective from November 27, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for migraines as the evidence did not show that they began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board dismissed appeals for right hand numbness and left hand numbness as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability, and granted the reopened claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches. The claims were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left shoulder disorder and an increased rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis to include spondylolisthesis and spondylolysis is remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD and depressive disorder are related to his military service, including fear of hostile military or terrorist activity. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding service connection for migraine headaches due to insufficient examination and consideration of potential secondary service connection.