Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to these conditions, and there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding a diagnosis and causal link between his current condition and service. The Veteran is entitled to a VA examination to determine if he currently suffers from migraine headaches and whether these are related to his military service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's MDD and headaches need further examination to determine their current severity, as there is recent evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and service connection for Hepatitis C, fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches are granted. The initial rating for seborrheic dermatitis remains unchanged.

The appeal of the denial of service connection for vertigo, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, SMC/AA, and gout is dismissed as no adequate substantive appeal was filed.,The appeals of service connection for sleep apnea and headaches are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current chronic headaches are related to service. The Veteran should be provided with a VA medical opinion.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent prior to August 7, 2017 and denied for a higher rating thereafter. The evidence does not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70%, and she is also granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not show a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, PTSD, and migraines due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial of these claims.,However, the claims are still being remanded as further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s acquired psychiatric disabilities (including PTSD) and his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's tension headaches are now rated at 30 percent, effective February 6, 2014. The rating is subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his previously denied claims for service connection for left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left shoulder disorder, back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for left thumb condition was denied as the new evidence did not relate to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for PTSD and trypanophobia were both denied due to lack of diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of craniotomy, including headaches, tinnitus, loss of left field of vision, loss of memory, right ear hearing loss and vertigo. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service craniotomy to remove a cyst that was aggravated by a preexisting condition.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and a higher rating for migraine headaches has been denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is February 1, 2003, for the grant of service connection, and May 25, 2010, for the assignment of a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for post-concussive syndrome prior to June 20, 2016 was denied as there were no symptoms that had not already been service-connected and compensated.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left hip disorder, right hip disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), acid reflux, and headaches. The decisions were based on lack of evidence supporting these claims or because they are not related to service.

The Board has decided the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and initial compensable disability ratings for postoperative scars of the left shoulder. The appeal for a higher rating for the left shoulder postoperative scars is denied. The appeal for a temporary total evaluation for rehabilitation of impingement of the left shoulder, postoperative is dismissed as there was no evidence of severe surgical wounds or immobilization by cast. The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for post-operative impingement of the left shoulder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination, and a new opinion is needed regarding whether the Veteran's current headaches are related to his service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the nature and severity of the Veteran's headache disorder.