Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The Veteran's symptoms of muscle and joint pain, headaches, shortness of breath, cardiovascular signs, and fatigue are being evaluated again with consideration of his exposure in service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and headaches due to insufficient rationale in medical opinions provided, and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected hypertension, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. However, the Veteran's hemorrhoids did not manifest in service and are not otherwise related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service information and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's headache disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic headache disorder and fatigue disorder, were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.,Service connection was also denied for kidney disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease (PVD), blood disorder, and left lower extremity neuropathy due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for diabetes was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's disability rating for headaches was restored from noncompensable to 30 percent effective June 21, 2016.

The Veteran's depression disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His atrial fibrillation disability is rated at 100% since August 9, 2012 due to chronic congestive heart failure and regurgitation valves. Other conditions are denied or not addressed.

The Veteran's GERD rating is restored from October 1, 2014 to a 10 percent rating. A higher rating for migraine headaches and PTSD with MDD is granted since April 19, 2011. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted starting from April 19, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acid reflux is denied.,The Veteran's petition to reopen his TBI claim and request for a higher rating are both denied.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted with a compensable rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's PTSD claim is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chest pain has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.,Two issues have been remanded: one regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and another for evaluation in excess of 40 percent for tension headaches.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to a secondary service connection claim for a seizure disorder. The SMC appeal will be reconsidered after addressing the service connection issue.

Service connection for a disability of the spine, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral blindness, and left eye disability is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's appeal of claims for service connection for mild superimposed degenerative joint disease at the fact joints, herniated disc, lumbar laminectomy (claimed as lumbar condition due to surgery L4-S1), and a migraine condition is dismissed. The claims for entitlement to service connection for depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and a nervous condition are reopened.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a compensable rating prior to July 28, 2016, and in excess of 30 percent from July 28, 2016, for migraines due to an assertion of increased severity since the last examination. The Veteran's lay statements and private treatment records indicate an increase in frequency of migraines.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including lower back condition, excessive weight gain, gastritis, hemorrhoids (rectal bleeding), and migraine headaches (chronic headaches). The case is remanded to determine if the Veteran now has allergic rhinitis that increased in severity during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for a formal hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and multiple nevus excisions have been reopened, and he is now entitled to a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches prior to January 25, 2017. His PTSD with major depressive disorder is also rated at 50 percent prior to that date.