Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to joint pain, sleep apnea, sinus/nasal condition, headaches/migraines, and acid reflux are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evidence review.

Your claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for review of additional medical evidence.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for right shoulder strain and headaches.,There is no evidence that the Veteran submitted any formal or informal claims for these conditions prior to the effective dates assigned.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider the Veteran's lay statements. The issues of service connection for various disabilities are being reviewed again.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, finding no medical nexus between his current conditions and service. The Veteran's claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is remanded due to insufficient evidence in the examination reports.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea and depressive disorder are granted.,An initial rating of 50 percent for tension headaches is granted, effective December 2017.

The Veteran's headaches were rated as non-compensable prior to December 1, 2011 and a 50 percent rating was granted from that date. The Veteran is denied a higher disability rating for his headaches.,TDIU was initially denied before October 1, 2012 but granted effective October 1, 2012.

The Veteran's chronic headaches have been granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,His claim for a higher evaluation for tinnitus has been denied, with the highest possible rating already assigned.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is granted a 50 percent rating. The left knee arthritis and instability, as well as the lumbar spine disability, are remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent disabling for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis was denied. The current disability rating adequately considers the severity and symptomatology of the Veteran’s condition.

The Veteran's claims of increased evaluations for migraine headaches and lumbar degenerative disc disease have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to complex medical issues and insufficient opinions. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining an advisory opinion from a medical expert on whether CVID is related to exposure at Camp Lejeune and whether headaches are related to exposure at Camp Lejeune. Additionally, the claims for polyarthritis and gastric disability are being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and headaches, but denied service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's neck strain is also remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for an eye disability, a head injury due to vertigo, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The appeals were based on new evidence submitted since previous decisions.

The Veteran's headache condition was not considered a medical emergency, and VA facilities were feasibly available for treatment. The Board denied payment or reimbursement of the unauthorized medical expenses incurred at HCMC on February 16, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, sleep apnea, and headaches on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected mental health disorder. The effective dates for these conditions are not specified as they were already in effect at the time of the decision.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's earlier effective date claims for lumbar spine and lower extremity disabilities, as well as her service connection claims for a right shoulder disability (secondary to left shoulder) and a left eye disability. The issues of service connection for residuals of a head injury (to include headaches) and a neck disability were decided in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, left shoulder disability, and headaches to obtain additional medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hypertension, headaches, and a psychiatric disability. The lumbar spine osteoarthritis case is still pending with an effective date issue.