Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal to reopen claims of service connection for tinnitus and hepatitis C is granted. On de novo review, service connection for hepatitis C is also granted.,Service connection for hypertension is remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, fatigue, bowel incontinence, bladder incontinence, headaches, acquired psychiatric disability (including depression and anxiety), and sleep disorder are related to her treatment at VA facilities. The claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service connection claims for stroke residuals, chronic motor and sensory problems, and headaches have been denied as the evidence does not support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to acoustic trauma from his honorable period of service.,VA has a heightened duty to assist the Veteran in developing his claims since government records may have been lost. Relevant medical and personnel records should be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of chronic headaches and the Veteran does not have functional impairment that would qualify as a disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right ankle disability is denied because his current degenerative joint disease was not caused by or related to his active service. The in-service strain resolved without further treatment, and there is no evidence of chronicity post-service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disability is remanded as the Board did not obtain an examination due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability is remanded for similar reasons as the left foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for athlete’s foot, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to a duty to assist error. VA examinations will be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, PTSD, and alcohol dependence, are currently diagnosed but the Board is unable to determine their etiology without an additional VA examination.

Service connection for headaches is granted, and the Veteran's TDIU determination, effective date for service connection of post-surgical spine scar, left elbow scar, and diabetes mellitus are all granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a skin disorder, headaches, respiratory or sleep disorders, and an undiagnosed illness manifested by joint pain and fatigue due to Gulf War exposures. The Veteran's current claims are based on distinct factual bases from his prior claim for anthrax residuals.

The Board has granted the Veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for major depressive disorder, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and low back disability. The appeals are now on their merits.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of all issues on appeal, including service connection claims for various conditions and disabilities. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's headaches, back disability, sleep apnea, and diverticulitis are all granted service connection. The left knee chondromalacia is denied. Service connection for hypertension and a left testicular disorder are also denied.,Service connection for the cervical spine disability was granted with an initial 20% rating prior to July 9, 2018, but no higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a psychiatric disability and headaches, finding that there was no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service or any service-connected condition.

The Board has granted an effective date of June 28, 2008 for the award of TDIU due to service-connected migraine disability. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for residuals of a head injury with headaches and an initial compensable rating for hypertension are being remanded due to incomplete VA examinations.

The Veteran's vertigo and bladder disorder to include frequent urination are granted as related to her exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,The Veteran's lower back pain, body aches, left arm joint aches, right arm joint aches, left knee joint aches, high blood pressure, removal of uterus and right ovary to include bleeding cysts and hot flashes, and migraines are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for hemorrhoids and headaches, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service.,The decision also notes that there is no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and any in-service events or exposures.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for tension headaches has been granted to 50 percent, effective February 7, 2019. The Veteran’s bilateral hearing loss remains at a noncompensable rating prior to February 7, 2019 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection, including for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a closed head injury, a peripheral vestibular condition, and a headache disability. The gastrointestinal disability claim is also being remanded.