Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD), and Headaches as these conditions are not considered to be related to service.,Service records show the Veteran experienced anxiety during recruit training but her current diagnoses of Generalized Anxiety Disorder were found to have resolved by nature of the diagnosis being reactive or adjustment in nature with symptoms resolving once the stressor (boot camp) is no longer an issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and his claim for an increased rating for stressor related disorder was also denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back condition, neck condition, residuals of a right wrist injury, and headaches as there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during active service or related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, right knee disability, headache disability, tinnitus, and left shoulder disability. The decision found no current evidence of these conditions in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's service-connected tension headaches and TMJ disabilities. The Veteran contends that these ratings should have been assigned prior to specific dates, but the evidence does not support an earlier effective date.,For the respiratory condition issue, the Board has remanded the case as it is unclear what the appropriate diagnosis is and whether the disability was incurred in service.

The appeal for service connection of migraine headaches is dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's hepatitis C, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and respiratory condition are all granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA and headaches as secondary to OSA. The back condition, acquired psychiatric condition, and right ankle condition are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his right knee disorder and other conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions such as TBI, sinusitis, headaches, eye disorder, stomach disability, typhoid vaccination residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The issues are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence or examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The TDIU claim is denied as the Veteran is currently employed full-time.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran’s hypertension to service, and determined that he could perform sedentary employment despite his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches are now rated at 30 percent, effective November 9, 2017. His cervical spine condition remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected acquired psychiatric disability including anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of the Veteran's headaches to his service. A VA examination is needed to provide a nexus opinion.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for a right lower back disability and headaches were denied, as well as his request for an initial rating greater than 50 percent for PTSD. The appeals are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for an eye condition, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current TBI residuals are related to his service, including a combat injury in October 2004. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bipolar disorder, depression, PTSD, and a right knee disability have been reopened. The appeal of these issues is granted.,Service connection has also been granted for a chronic headache disability.

The Veteran's skin disorders, headaches, and sleep apnea are not service-connected. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities remain under consideration as the Board finds remand necessary to obtain more specific opinions regarding their etiology.