Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims and subsequent submission of new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cerebral artery aneurysm and headaches have been reopened. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for these conditions, as well as for other disabilities including right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, knee disorders, and foot neuropathy.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were partially denied. His hypertension was not rated higher than 10%, his tension headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his right ankle disorder could not be linked to service due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 30 percent rating from October 28, 2014; and increased to a 70 percent rating prior to August 13, 2015. The VA has granted an increased rating of 70 percent for the period prior to August 13, 2015.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected headaches is being remanded due to new evidence suggesting an increase in the nature, severity, duration, and frequency of his headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for migraines has been remanded due to the addition of new VA treatment records and examination reports. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new and material evidence having been received. The Veteran's OSA and headache disability are being reviewed again, as well as his respiratory and GI disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claim for service connection for residuals of head trauma (headaches) is also remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI), was denied because there is no credible evidence that the current headache disability had its onset during active service or is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, left hip degenerative joint disease with radiation into the thigh, right hip degenerative joint disease with radiation into the thigh, chronic diarrhea, and headaches due to lack of a nexus between his current symptoms and service-connected conditions or other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for shortness of breath is denied as there is no evidence of any impairment due to this symptom.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of service connection for chronic pain syndrome, post concussive headache syndrome, and sleep apnea are also being remanded.

The Board has granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected TBI residuals, including posttraumatic headaches, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's right ear otitis media has resolved with no discernable symptoms. The claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, onychomycosis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (including depressive disorder and PTSD), service connection for headaches, and a 10 percent rating based on multiple, noncompensable, service-connected disabilities are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting VA opinions and incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches are being evaluated based on their current severity.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headache disorder. The right eye vision impairment issue was dismissed as withdrawn during a hearing.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's right wrist, cervical spine, lumbar spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are inadequate. Additionally, a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum opinion regarding the service connection of depression. The claims for service connection for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for hypertension was denied. The application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome is denied, and the case for service connection for headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, including fatigue secondary to migraines, is being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for further examination.