Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for various disabilities and the assignment of effective dates.,Service connection was denied for migraine headaches as there is no evidence linking them to active military service.

Service connection is granted for migraine headaches.,Service connection is denied for hypertension, a back disorder, and a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's recurrent yeast/bacterial infections, headaches, cellulitis of the left thigh, hidradenitis suppurativa, an epidermal inclusion cyst of the scalp and residuals thereof, and back disability are all granted as service-connected.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims but denied them based on the lack of new and material evidence. The claims for tinnitus, hearing loss disability, rash, back of neck and face, limitation of flexion of the knees, left knee pain, right knee pain, lower back injury (claimed as back conditions), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and headaches have been reopened but remain denied.

The Veteran's headaches are being remanded for a VA examination to determine their onset and relationship to service, with consideration of her service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches from November 1, 2019 is granted. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches remains remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected as they are related to his military service, and the evidence is in equipoise regarding this claim.

The Veteran's appeals for bilateral hearing loss, breast lumps, migraine headaches, scars related to hysterectomy and bladder surgery, female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD), eye pinguecula and iritis with photophobia, bladder condition with stress incontinence, hysterectomy, and PTSD have been dismissed.,PTSD has also been denied for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for recurrent headaches and bilateral hand paresthesia due to additional VA treatment records not being obtained.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as mental health condition), skin condition, and hypothyroidism. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for lumbosacral strain, headaches, and TDIU have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has denied service connection for right ear and left ear hearing loss due to lack of current disability. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and adjustment disorder, is remanded as there are issues regarding the in-service stressor and the need for a formal opinion with rationale.

The Board has decided that the initial noncompensable disability ratings for the service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right fourth metacarpal and migraines need to be remanded due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine and tension headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to February 21, 2019. The rating is based on the frequency of attacks rather than severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for traumatic brain injury, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety condition, severe headaches, left foot condition, right foot condition, intervertebral disk syndrome (claimed as low back problems), left hip problems, and right knee condition due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for posttraumatic headaches prior to August 21, 2019 is denied. For the period from August 21, 2019, an increased rating in excess of 30 percent is also denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability to include asthma and shortness of breath, as well as a central nervous system disability to include headaches and tremors, both related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence shows that these disabilities are etiologically related to this exposure.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and these claims are being remanded for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder secondary to PTSD and major depressive disorder. The issues of increased ratings for left knee instability, right knee instability, left knee limitation of motion, and right knee limitation of motion are remanded.