Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's testimony and submitted evidence. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities are being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology, as the current evidence is insufficient to determine if they are related to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune during active service.

The Board has determined that a remand is required to have the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) schedule the Veteran for a retrospective VA examination to address the nature and severity of his migraine headaches over the entire claim period from April 29, 2015 to the present; to obtain outstanding Social Security Administration (SSA) records; and, to have the Veteran submit an updated VA Form 21-8940 in support of his claim of entitlement to a TDIU rating.

The February 2016 rating decision did not address the issues raised in the November 2011 and February 2013 NODs, so past-due benefits for attorney representation are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board grants a TDIU based on this.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist disorders, but granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other claims are remanded.,Service connection was not established for the following conditions: bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, hypertension, varicose veins of the lower extremities, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is dismissed as he withdrew his claim prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The claim to reopen the low back disability was denied because no new and material evidence was presented, and the Board found that the evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Tinnitus is granted as service connection is established due to acoustic trauma during active service.,GERD is granted as service connection is established based on symptoms in-service and continuity of symptoms since service.,Left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.,Rash on the hands and arms is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding its etiology.,Headaches are remanded for further examination and opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as the evidence does not show any current disabilities related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and review of new evidence. The issues include psychiatric disabilities, high cholesterol, obesity, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, asthma, sleep apnea, hernia, kidney disease, multiple sclerosis, headaches, and seizures.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for a seizure disorder with vasovagal syncope from January 12, 2016 to February 8, 2016 was denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For ratings in excess of 40 percent from February 8, 2016, the Veteran's seizure disorder with vasovagal syncope was found not to have manifested in at least one major seizure in six months or two minor seizures in six months.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's notice of disagreement was timely filed and is now requesting a statement of the case for service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, specifically regarding service connection for TBI, blurred vision secondary to TBI, headaches secondary to TBI, and low back disability. The Veteran's claims will be reviewed again with additional medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's chronic low back pain and headaches are related to his in-service lumbar puncture. The claim will be reviewed again after additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examination and evaluation of his dementia disability. The current rating for post-concussion headaches remains at 50 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome, rosacea, and headaches. Service connection is denied for shortness of breath.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals, simple fracture, nasal bones with chronic sinusitis and sinus headaches have not increased in severity sufficiently to warrant a higher evaluation. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA examination to assess the current level of severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple issues are being remanded due to procedural violations and the need for additional medical opinions.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right ankle disorder related to his service-connected left ankle condition, fatigue due to chemical exposure, diabetes mellitus possibly linked to herbicide exposure, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorder, and bladder disorder potentially caused by chemical exposure. The AOJ must verify the claimed exposures.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right ankle disorder related to his service-connected left ankle condition, fatigue due to chemical exposure, diabetes mellitus possibly linked to herbicide exposure, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, respiratory disorder, and bladder disorder potentially caused by chemical exposure. The AOJ must verify the claimed exposures.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or inaccurate factual premises in previous VA examination reports.