Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development, including a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed headache disability. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and hypertension as secondary to service-connected ulcerative colitis.,Service connection was also denied for headaches as secondary to service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his current headaches and his military service.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted, and the issue of service connection for a chronic disability of the central nervous system (clinically isolated syndrome) is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated military personnel records to verify service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations. A Gulf War examination is also needed if service in this area is confirmed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and his active duty service.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been denied, with the Board finding that the Veteran did not provide credible lay evidence linking his current condition to service.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's tension headaches, finding that his very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete or conflicting medical opinions and additional information is needed.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, claimed as symptoms of fatigue and sleep impairment, is denied. The Board finds that there is no current diagnosis of the disorder.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and Bipolar Disorder, is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions considering newly received VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his thoracolumbar spine disability and for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected post-traumatic headaches due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's application for financial assistance for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation was denied because he does not meet the criteria under VA regulations, as his service-connected conditions do not qualify him for such benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, anxiety disorder, and panic disorder).

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum allowed under VA law and regulations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for TBI residuals is denied. A separate zero percent evaluation is granted for posttraumatic headaches as residuals of service-connected TBI. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right eye disorder, a low back disorder, left ankle disorders, right ankle disorders, right shoulder disorders, right hand disorders, and headache disorders. The reasons given were that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service aggravation or incurrence for most conditions, and there was no current diagnosis for some conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew from appeal during an October 2019 Board hearing. The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for migraines, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and residuals of traumatic brain injury are remanded.

The Veteran's Other Specified Trauma and Stressor-Related Disorder is granted as service-connected. The sinus disorder manifested by recurrent epistaxis and the headache disorder are denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for cutaneous leishmaniasis and service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to cutaneous leishmaniasis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent rating. Service connection for cardiovascular disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, lumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and chin disorder is denied.

The Veteran's low back condition is denied as not related to service.,An initial compensable rating for emphysema is denied due to non-compensable FEV-1/FVC levels.