Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete actions and requests for a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines, finding that they are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected sinusitis. The decision is based on medical evidence showing a causal relationship between the Veteran's current migraines and his service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) due to her withdrawal of those claims during a July 2019 hearing. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The appeal for service connection for migraine headaches is dismissed as the Veteran's claim has been granted. The appeals for service connection for a neck condition and a sleep disorder other than sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lower back disability, migraines, hepatitis C, and a bilateral hip disability due to conflicting evidence and lack of clear medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches due to insufficient evidence in the previous decision.

The Board has remanded the case because a new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's migraines are related to his military service and whether they are aggravated by his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially to his death, and thus grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, epilepsy, obstructive sleep disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), hepatitis C, and hypertension. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for sleep apnea and migraine headaches due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Veteran's TBI and migraine headaches are remanded for further examination. The cervical spine and low back disabilities are also remanded, as the VA examinations relied on insufficient reasoning.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD and migraine headaches, as well as a TDIU rating, were denied. The evidence did not support the need for higher disability ratings based on the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further action due to incomplete evaluations and lack of consideration of lay assertions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI, PTSD, and migraine headaches have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a current diagnosis of TBI or PTSD, and his symptoms related to these conditions are adequately addressed by other service-connected disabilities.,For migraine headaches, the Veteran was granted service connection but assigned a non-compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of discussion in the January 2019 decision regarding a July 2016 VA examination report that diagnosed the Veteran with tension headaches. The examiner opined that it was less likely than not that the claimed condition was secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work. The issues include seeking higher ratings for chronic pansinusitis, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss; determining whether he has service connection for Meniere’s disease; and considering entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a rating of 70 percent, effective July 18, 2013. Service connection for migraines is also granted. Individual Unemployability benefits are granted from January 2, 2014. The rating in excess of 0 percent for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea are both remanded.

The Veteran's headaches have worsened since her last VA examination, and she needs to be evaluated for the current severity of her condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee small joint effusion with subcentimeter ruptured popliteal cyst, also claimed as a left knee sprain.,The Board has also granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (DDD), also claimed as a back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and assistance on a regular basis to feed himself, keep himself clean and presentable, and protect him from the hazards or dangers inherent in his daily environment. As such, the claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is granted.