Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a thoracolumbar spine disability, prostate cancer, headaches, gastrointestinal disability manifesting in nausea and vomiting, and inability to conceive. These issues are being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's asthma, hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left arm numbness, and headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinnitus, OSA caused by PTSD, and migraine headaches all linked to her service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the evidence did not show the Veteran had hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD and TBI.,Service connection for an autoimmune disease (claimed as CFS) and a stomach disability are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) and seizure disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with its September 2017 Remand directives and the appeal is being remanded for a VA examination in compliance with those directives.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a psychiatric disability, hepatitis C, and migraines has been reopened. The rating for hepatitis C remains at 20 percent as the evidence does not support higher ratings due to lack of symptoms such as weight loss or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability and associated lower extremity neurological disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may be significantly impacted by the outcome of the rating issues.

The Veteran's low back disability, including DDD and HNP, is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service or due to a disease or injury in service.,Her bilateral hip disability, including GT bursitis, is not service-connected as there is no evidence of such condition during her period of active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's bilateral dry eye condition (DES and conjunctivitis) is not service-connected as she was not diagnosed with this condition until after separation from service.,Genital herpes is not service-connected as there is no evidence of such condition during her period of active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.,Her gynecological disability, including uterine fibroids, bilateral ovarian cysts, pelvic adhesions, dysmenorrhea and post-partner infection, is not service-connected as she was not diagnosed with this condition until after separation from service.,Her psychiatric disorder (PTSD due to MST and depressive disorder) is not service-connected as there is no evidence of such condition during her period of active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.,Her headache disorder is not service-connected as there is no evidence of such condition during her period of active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.,Her respiratory condition (asthma and left hilar lymphadenopathy) is not service-connected as there is no evidence of such condition during her period of active duty or within the applicable presumptive period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a brain tumor and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for migraine headaches is denied, and the claims for increased ratings for bilateral ulnar nerve entrapment and carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 50% rating prior to February 25, 2017. The initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied prior to March 1, 2017 and thereafter. TDIU prior to December 21, 2015 is also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for headaches/migraine as it requires an adequate VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for breast cancer, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune caused the Veteran's condition.,Service connection was denied for migraines due to exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune. The Board found insufficient medical evidence linking the current migraines to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues of service connection for gastrointestinal disorder, sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and migraine disorder are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as tension headaches and shoulder disorders secondary to a cervical spine disorder. The evidence did not show any in-service injury or illness that caused these conditions.,There is no indication of arthritis or other chronic diseases within one year post-service, making the presumption of service connection unavailable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on several issues.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of left ear hearing loss, residuals of left ear glomus tumor, and headaches for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.