Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for additional VA examinations and the potential existence of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a mental health disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service service.,The Veteran's cervical strain was rated at 10% since the onset of the claim period, with no higher rating warranted due to limited motion and painful movement.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his current employment as a letter carrier does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to marginal employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, right shoulder disability, and headache disability due to lack of STRs and need for further medical examination.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection of a left eye disability, respiratory disability (shortness of breath), and gastrointestinal disability. The Veteran's claim for headaches is remanded due to lack of current evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's headaches, finding that they are aggravated by his service-connected neck disability.

The Veteran's psoriasis is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence, thus granting service connection for this condition.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence, resulting in denial of service connection.,The Veteran's migraines are aggravated by his service-connected PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder and alcohol dependence, leading to the grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and headache disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervicogenic headaches. The Veteran will be provided with additional examinations to assess the severity of his conditions and determine their impact on his ability to work.

The appeal for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition has been dismissed.,Service connection for traumatic brain injury and headaches have both been denied. The Veteran's claims are based on in-service pararescue jumps and documented orbital fractures, but the Board found no current disability or sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and migraines, as well as his TDIU claim prior to February 1, 2019, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings and TDIU was denied. The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under VA guidelines. His PTSD with TBI has been rated at 100 percent since May 21, 2015. As he had a 100% disability rating for his service-connected conditions and no other disabilities rated as high as 60%, he was not eligible for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of migraine headaches was denied as there is no evidence that the condition worsened within a year prior to her intent to file. The effective date remains March 23, 2016.,The Veteran's right knee strain claim was remanded due to inadequate examination and lack of information regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical records, including a separation examination from his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions such as cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, bilateral knee and hip disabilities, sleep apnea, headaches, and digestive disorders. The reasons for these remands include insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's military service.,The issues of service connection are being addressed due to a lack of sufficient evidence or reasoning provided by VA examiners in previous examinations.

The Veteran's nonlinear scars of the anterior trunk are not painful, unstable, or associated with underlying tissue damage and do not affect a total area greater than 929 square centimeters.,The Veteran does not have a current left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left knee disability, or right knee disability.

Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating prior to June 25, 2002 for stomach condition and entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 19, 2016 for chronic adjustment disorder are dismissed.,For the entire appeal period, entitlement to a 50 percent rating for posttraumatic headaches is granted.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bronchitis and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between these conditions and his service, as well as other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from February 16, 2016, to September 10, 2017. The TDIU is granted during this period and the appeal for a temporary total evaluation due to hernia repair is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, finding that there was no evidence linking her current condition to service or her service-connected PTSD. The claim is reopened due to new and material evidence.