Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, low back condition, and neck pain secondary to PTSD due to insufficient evidence. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity tarsal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of stroke is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity disability, to include as secondary to service-connected LLE tarsal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for sinusitis is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder rotator cuff (RTC) tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for dizziness was denied, and his claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was granted to 10 percent prior to April 25, 2019. The appeal is dismissed as the preponderance of evidence does not support reopening the claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and no link to service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and insomnia, as well as cervical strain, are granted service connection. The issues of gastrointestinal disability other than IBS and hemorrhoids (to include stomach disability, GERD, hernia, and residuals of colon cancer), headache disability, and left shoulder disability are remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and conflicting medical opinions. The issues of residuals of frostbite, tension headaches, and blindness of the left eye (as secondary to tension headaches) will be addressed again with new evidence and examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to August 18, 2011 for a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is denied as there is no ascertainable date within a year prior to August 18, 2011 on which the Veteran’s headaches worsened to a degree warranting such a rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right eye retinal hole with pain and loss of vision to the extent of blindness, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and unspecified anxiety disorder) as they are not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Bell's palsy and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of evidence.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for migraines for the entire appeal period, finding that the Veteran's very frequent and severe prostrating attacks have resulted in severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her headache and left knee disabilities has been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current migraine headaches are related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim was denied.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent rating for migraine headaches, effective July 1, 2015. The reduction from 30 to 0 percent was not supported by evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD, major depressive disorder with symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, bipolar disorder, ADHD), back disorders (including arthritis), left knee disorders (including arthritis), right knee disorders (including arthritis), migraines, and tinnitus have all been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury and remanded the issue of service connection for headaches, attributing them to service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for low back and cervical spine conditions, as well as headaches and radiculopathies of the extremities, all secondary to service-connected pes planus. The claims were reopened due to new evidence provided since the last denial.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected migraine headaches has been denied. The Board found that the current 50 percent rating is the maximum available under the schedular criteria and that referral for extraschedular consideration was not warranted.,The claim for an earlier effective date for the service-connected migraine headaches has also been denied as there was no determination made in the 2017 rating decision regarding such. The Veteran's attorney raised the issue of TDIU, but the RO did not fully develop this prior to April 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flatfeet, bilateral ankle disability, tinnitus, perforation of the right ear drum, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and headaches have been granted. The claim for service connection for lumbar spondylosis (residuals, low back strain) has also been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, but has remanded the claims for residuals of head injury, headaches, balance problems, and cognitive problems due to an in-service blow to the back of the head.