Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess his PTSD and TBI, as well as to determine whether he has any symptoms of TBI that are distinguishable from the impairment resulting from his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence and need for further examination. The issues include right knee disorder, headaches, right shoulder disorder, dizziness and fainting spells, low back disorder, and left leg shin splints.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hypertension was denied, and the Board found that an effective date prior to November 1, 2016 is not warranted.,Some of the Veteran’s claims were remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for such a rating. The decision also notes that while the Veteran had previously been rated as noncompensable, he now meets the requirements for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's COPD was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied service connection for this condition.,For the whole period on appeal, radiculopathy caused moderate incomplete paralysis of both upper extremities. The Veteran received a rating of 40 percent prior to March 5, 2019 for right upper extremity radiculopathy and a rating of 30 percent after that date for left upper extremity radiculopathy.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated as 10 percent before March 5, 2019 and 30 percent thereafter. The Board found no evidence to warrant higher ratings based on the severity of symptoms.,Migraine headaches were not manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met, as the effective date assigned was the day following discharge from service. For other issues, no higher rating could be assigned based on current evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation of 30 percent for migraine headaches has been granted.,Service connection for allergic rhinitis was denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service. The Veteran’s current diagnosis is considered transitory and not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have not more nearly approximated the criteria for a compensable (10%) rating, as there is no evidence of prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for hypertension. The claim remains denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for severe erosive esophagitis and prostate cancer on the merits. The claims remain denied.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for severe erosive esophagitis. The claim remains denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for migraine headaches was reduced from 30 percent to noncompensable. The Board has restored the 30 percent rating effective August 3, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, finding that there is no medical evidence linking his current headaches to his in-service injury or to his service-connected left ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his deployment in Southwest Asia. The Veteran is asked to provide more details and documentation, and VA examinations are scheduled if service in Southwest Asia is confirmed.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the Veteran's active duty records being unavailable. The Veteran is asked to provide any additional medical or non-medical evidence, including witness statements and medical records, to support his account of events during his U.S. Army Reserve assignment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for TBI residuals, an acquired psychiatric disability, and acid reflux are granted. The claim for hypertension is dismissed.

Service connection is granted for headaches that onset during the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia.,The Veteran's appeal of service connection for sleep disturbance due to service in Southwest Asia has been withdrawn.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, a lung disorder, and cluster headaches. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions were caused by his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased rating and effective date for service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disability is proximately due to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection for a neurological condition (syncopal episodes, dizzy spells, and headaches) is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding whether the Veteran has a current diagnosis of such conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected headaches is remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and a new examination.