Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's hypertension is being remanded due to the need for a medical examination. The claims for increased ratings of chronic headaches, relapse fever/night sweats, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, residual scars (due to removal of swollen lymph nodes), multiple joint pain, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and blurred vision and twitching of the left eye are also being remanded due to the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective from the date of separation. The issue of TDIU is also remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining a line of duty determination, additional VA treatment records, and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's in-service alcohol use.

The Board denied service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and headaches on a secondary basis due to lack of evidence supporting the claims.

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for migraine headaches prior to March 20, 2019 and a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches from March 20, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tension headaches and hypertension due to incomplete records, need for a new examination, and further development of evidence from SSA.

The Veteran's headache disorder is related to an in-service injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, bilateral cholesteatoma with hearing loss, and TDIU due to an inadequate factual basis in previous opinions. The Veteran will need additional VA examinations to address whether his migraines are related to service or aggravated by his depressive disorder, and to assess the severity of his hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for intentional tremors, bilateral hands was denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of 50 percent for migraines prior to January 1, 2013 was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected TMJ and in-service fall are found to be the cause of his current migraine headaches, which began during active duty. Service connection for a headache disability is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches as there is no current diagnosis of a headache condition.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, left lower extremity radiculopathy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), erectile dysfunction (ED), and residuals of a chemical burn and abrasion. Service connection for headaches was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current work environment may exacerbate his PTSD symptoms and make it unsuitable for him to continue in his current occupation. The Veteran also underwent a new VA examination which noted changes in his PTSD symptomatology, including increased irritability and anger outbursts. Therefore, the case is being remanded to allow for a vocational rehabilitation assessment that considers all of the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination report for right knee PFS, and requested an addendum opinion from the examiner.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for headaches, hypertension, and cerebrovascular accident (CVA), as well as the TDIU claim on the issue of service connection for headaches. The claims are now pending again with the Board.

The Board has dismissed the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of retained shrapnel, left hand; service connection for rheumatoid arthritis; service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (depression); service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome; service connection for a respiratory disability; service connection for a skin disorder (dermatitis); and service connection for right ear hearing loss disability. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to Sjogren’s disease has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches is dismissed as the effective date of the granted 50 percent rating has already been established.

The Veteran's initial claim for migraine headaches was denied in May 2001, and the decision became final. The Veteran filed a new claim to reopen his previously denied claim on July 7, 2014.,From September 1, 2016, the Veteran is granted a 30% rating for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, migraines, mid and lower back condition, and sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to consider new evidence under the 'new and relevant' standard.