Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and headaches has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claims are granted in part as they have been reopened, but denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's chronic tension headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), neck pain, joint pain, and disabilities of the hands and fingers are all found to be related to his active duty service. The claims for GERD secondary to IBS, as well as the claims for neck pain, joint pain, and hand/finger disabilities, require further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective date for bipolar disorder, service connection for sleep disorder, bilateral foot disability, and headaches as secondary to schizoaffective disorder have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these claims by his representative.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran’s migraine headaches are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has dismissed all claims of service connection due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 70 percent rating for TBI with cognitive disorder from May 21, 2015 is granted. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for callus formation, left foot is denied. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression, anxiety) has been reopened and remains pending. The claims for service connection for TMJ, migraines, dizziness, neck condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 15, 2010 for the increased rating of 50% for tension headaches and TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development and readjudication due to missing documents, including a private medical opinion, lay statement, and VA Form 21-8940. The issues of rating PTSD with alcohol abuse in remission and effective date are being remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea was not incurred or aggravated during active service and is not otherwise related to his military service.,Effective dates prior to June 8, 2016 for the grants of service connection for left elbow dislocation with limitation of extension, impairment of supination and pronation, and cubital tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Veteran's PTSD has not resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disorder and a headache disorder, including as secondary to a service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder, are not supported by the evidence. The case is being remanded for further clarification of the medical evidence regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's headaches and foot disability, both claimed as secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee retropatellar pain syndrome. The VA needs to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether these conditions are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by her service-connected knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches, right knee disability, and TBI have been granted. The effective date for the left knee disability has not been determined due to a remand request. A total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted based on his service-connected disabilities. Right knee and vertigo issues require further examination as they may be related to other conditions or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's hypertension is currently evaluated at 10 percent and no higher, due to lack of readings meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent and no higher. The claim is remanded as there is no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks.,The Veteran's residuals of right ankle fracture are currently evaluated at 10 percent and no higher, due to the lack of evidence showing very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinea pedis, a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder strain, and hearing loss were dismissed. The appeal for a higher rating for tension headaches was granted to a non-compensable level.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, headaches, bilateral foot disability (numbness), tinnitus, hypertension, and mental health disorder. The decision found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination reports and a need for further medical evaluation regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disorder, bilateral eye disorder, head injury residuals, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) due to a lack of medical opinion regarding the relationship between service and these conditions. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the issue of entitlement to service connection for a head injury.

The Veteran's claims for right and left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral foot disability (claimed as pes planus/pain), headaches, and a psychiatric disorder have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.,Further evaluation is needed to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions or their residuals.