Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to service, caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, hearing loss, tinnitus, or treatment thereof.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for ischemic heart disease, acquired psychiatric disability, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The appeal for headaches has also been granted. However, the appeals for right upper extremity neurological disability, left lower neurological disability (other than sciatica), and right lower extremity neurological disability are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability, but denied service connection for low back pain, bilateral hand pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for tension headaches, service connection for muscle tension in shoulders and neck secondary to anxiety disorder, and hypertension are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right hand disability, lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, major depressive disorder, hypertension, and headache condition are all granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, lumbosacral strain, hearing loss, sleep apnea, insomnia, right foot disorder (pes planus), left foot disorder (pes planus), vision disability, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, migraine headaches, and skin disorder.,The Board found no evidence of a chronic lumbar disorder that began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, cholinesterase deficiency, headaches, memory loss, insomnia, shortness of breath, frequent colds, rapid heartbeat, and smell and taste of oil field. The evidence did not establish a distinct disability or provide new and material evidence to reopen any of the claims.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and tension headaches (secondary to asthma), finding that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or relationship to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of left knee disability. The claims for nose trauma residuals, PTSD with anxiety and depression, sleep disorder (other than sleep apnea), TBI, and headaches were all granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, sore muscles (now claimed as fibromyalgia), gastrointestinal disability, and joints disability have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss has been remanded.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches prior to April 30, 2018 was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's initial rating for dizziness and phonosensitivity after April 30, 2018 was also denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to his in-service acoustic trauma, meeting the criteria for service connection.,Service connection is granted for OSA secondary to PTSD and headaches secondary to PTSD.

Service connection for PTSD was denied, and a 30% evaluation for headaches was granted but with no effective date assigned.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disability and sleep disorder (other than sleep apnea) have been reopened, but service connection is not granted due to lack of current disabilities. The Veteran's tinnitus and migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating available, and an increased rating for plantar fasciitis quiescent is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for cluster headaches due to a lack of adequate consideration of all relevant evidence in the August 2017 medical opinion.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those related to the Veteran's right knee disability, back disability, TBI, respiratory disability, headache disability, left forearm scar, hypertension, bilateral shoulder disorder, neck disorder, bilateral foot disorder, right hip disorder, chest disorder, and bilateral foot fungus. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records from VA facilities and any private providers.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for migraines and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches. The Veteran's low back disorder, sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder are being remanded for further development.,Service connection is not granted for the claimed conditions as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 23, 2010 for the Veteran's entitlement to total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The decision is based on the fact that the Veteran was entitled to a combined rating of at least 70 percent with a single disability rated at 40 percent or more since December 23, 2010, and his service-connected disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be in need of personal assistance from others, and the Board has determined that he qualifies for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.