Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches associated with nasal allergy and sinusitis was denied in a January 1995 rating decision. The effective date of the grant of service connection is March 2, 1993.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn.,The RO is directed to obtain updated VA treatment records and SSA records, as well as any missing service treatment records from the David Grant Medical Center and NPRC.,VA should request that the Veteran submit any outstanding evidence regarding his claimed in-service exposure to dead bodies and race riots at Travis Air Force Base. The RO should also request a Statement in Support of Claim for PTSD Secondary to Personal Assault, and provide adequate notice as to such claim.,The RO should afford the Veteran new VA examinations for his acquired psychiatric disorders (PTSD, depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder), TBI, migraine headaches, TMJ, cervical spine disabilities, lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity disability, and right lower extremity disability. Adequate etiological opinions are needed.,The RO should afford the Veteran VA examinations for his cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a new VA examination for his right upper extremity disability (right shoulder and arm pain and numbness, right hand disability).,The RO should afford the Veteran VA examinations for his right lower extremity disability. Adequate etiological opinions are needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of head trauma, including chronic headaches, is granted. However, the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right fourth (ring) finger condition, headache disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims have been remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent disabling for migraines has been dismissed. The appeal for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with scar is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury and Headaches, finding that there is no current disability related to the in-service head injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his chronic tension headaches, sinusitis, right shoulder instability, limitation of motion associated with glenohumeral arthrosis, and entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for tinnitus has been granted. The initial rating for major depressive disorder remains denied. The effective date for service connection of major depressive disorder is not earlier than April 15, 2016.,Remaining claims for service connection are pending and need further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for dizziness and loss of balance, diarrhea, skin rashes, and migraines are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran has not provided sufficient medical or lay evidence to establish a current disability related to his claimed Gulf War exposure.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50 percent rating prior to October 30, 2017.,The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted separate 10 percent ratings for each foot under DC 5284.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder, finding that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding whether the Veteran's headaches began in-service. The decision is based on new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The right knee disability and headache disability were granted, while the bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, left knee disability, and skin growth on the left cheek remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and a higher initial rating for migraine headaches have been dismissed.,The claim for TDIU has also been dismissed as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a total schedular rating.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 18, 2009 for the award of service connection and a separate disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy is denied. The claim for an effective date earlier than February 11, 2014 for the award of service connection for tension headaches is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU have been denied. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the cysts/tumors of the neck and right wrist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various acquired psychiatric, headache, hand, knee, and ankle disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions due to the Appellant's discharge under other than honorable conditions, which is considered a bar to VA benefits.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a claim for migraine headaches was granted, and service connection for this condition is now established.,Service connection for major depressive disorder has been denied due to the lack of evidence showing an increase in severity since August 7, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of various disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate development or opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.