Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arachnoid cysts, lacunar infarctions, headaches, and tremors due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed for the claims of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep disability (to include sleep apnea), and headache disability (to include as due to a TBI). The Veteran's VA treatment records from Tuscaloosa, Alabama in January 2011 are requested. Additionally, the Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates are being remanded due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted for the period prior to September 6, 2018. For the period beginning on September 6, 2018, his rating remains at 50%. The Board has also remanded two issues: service connection for a skin condition (claimed as blisters) and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected muscle contraction headaches was dismissed. His claims for service connection for hypertension and kidney failure, both secondary to his service-connected headaches, were denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current headaches are related to his military service or a service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches, but denied service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for myofascitis of the neck and headaches have been reopened, and the appeal is granted in part. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated and some issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, but remanded the issues of bilateral plantar fasciitis and bilateral heel bone spurs due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, her left and right hallux valgus are each rated at 10 percent, and she is granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and psoriasis claims are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's tinnitus is service-connected. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for his right knee, left knee, foot conditions, and migraine headaches are remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinus/allergic rhinitis, headache condition, hypertension, skin cancer of the bilateral arms, high cholesterol, bilateral shoulder condition, appendix removal residuals, colon condition, GERD, brain stem stroke, sleep apnea, and heart condition. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's sinus headaches are rated at 30 percent from May 19, 2016 to January 17, 2019. The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 30 percent prior to September 28, 2018 and denied for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-hand arthritis, a right ankle disability, right CTS, headaches, and residuals of frostbite. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right wrist and bilateral knee disorders have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her left ring finger disability has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right thumb disorder, right index finger disorder, low back disorder, and right great toe and foot disorder have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of dermatitis has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache disorder secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis has been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for a brace used for his service-connected back disability and topical medication used for his service-connected eczema in 2018, as there was no evidence that these items caused significant damage to his clothes.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including GERD, migraine headaches, sleep apnea, fatigue, and knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's diagnosed psychiatric disabilities, including PTSD and depression, are caused or aggravated by her service-connected migraine headaches. The Veteran is asked to provide additional private treatment records and for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim of service connection for eye disability was granted. Service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, stomach conditions, and migraine headaches were all granted with effective dates ranging from May 5, 2017 to June 23, 2017. The Veteran's low back disability, acquired psychiatric disability, seizures, and TDIU claim are still pending.