Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for headaches, high blood pressure, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete development of his service records and need for VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including left hip pain, left shoulder pain, neck pain, right hip pain, right shoulder pain, sleep apnea, facial scars due to injury, and headaches.

The Veteran's seizures and chronic fatigue have been granted service connection as manifestations of an undiagnosed illness.,Chronic daily headaches are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to non-compliance with previous directives and a need for an updated VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, but has remanded the remaining issues related to sleep apnea, sickle cell issues, bilateral blepharitis and early cataracts, dizziness, throat cyst removal, stroke, and head injury previously claimed as headaches.

The Veteran's service connection for OSA and migraine headaches is granted. The Board finds that remand is warranted to determine the nature of his dizziness, lymphatic filariasis, entitlement to a TDIU, and SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left and right lumbar radiculopathy, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (vertigo), and diabetes mellitus type II.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions provided by the VA examiners. The issues include bilateral shoulder disability, right hand joint pain, bilateral elbow and knee pain, cervical spine disability, renal cell carcinoma, neuropathy of lower extremities, osteoarthritis of left hand ring finger, hypertension, hiatal hernia with GERD, atopic dermatitis, migraine headaches, and bilateral condylar flattening indicative of degenerative joint disease of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hypertension was denied. For the period of May 1, 2009 to February 27, 2018, his claim for an increased rating for migraines was also denied. Beginning February 27, 2018, but no earlier, he is granted a 30 percent evaluation for migraines.,The Veteran's hypertension did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as his systolic blood pressure readings were predominantly under 160 and diastolic pressure was predominantly under 100. His migraines resulted in attacks less frequent than once per month, which does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and migraines on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected depression.

The Board has found that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches and a rating in excess of 10 percent for asbestosis. The claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are considered to be incurred in service, and the claim for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome has been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome has also been denied.

The claims for service connection related to nasal disorder, sinusitis, broken nose residuals, and head injury have been remanded due to the need for additional development.,New evidence has not been received that would support reopening of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for nasal pterygium, nuclear sclerosis, pinguecula, and transient monocular blindness. Service connection was denied for glaucoma suspect, incipient cataract, Meibomian gland dysfunction with dry eye symptoms, arcus senilis, hyperopia astigmatism, presbyopia, and retinal migraine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine/neck disability, vision disability, left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The claim for service connection for headaches is being remanded.,The Board found that there was no credible evidence of a neck injury during active duty service, thus denying the Veteran's direct service connection claim for cervical spine/neck disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of whether the reduction in ratings for left leg shin splints and migraine headaches were proper, as the Veteran submitted a timely notice of disagreement but no statement of the case was issued.

The Veteran's chronic headache syndrome is granted as service connected. The Veteran's depression is denied as not related to service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, gastrointestinal disorder, and tension headaches as secondary to the Veteran's fibromyalgia.,The decision is based on a direct service connection theory.