Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for emphysema and COPD (claimed as a respiratory condition) has been denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service.,Service connection for a headache disability is also denied, with no evidence showing that headaches were incurred during or related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, notably his bilateral knee disabilities, prevent him from substantially gainful employment that is consistent with his work experience as a laborer. The Board finds entitlement to TDIU granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with anxiety and tension headaches and migraine headaches are granted as service-connected, with the latter conditions found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of spinal meningitis, including headaches, dizziness, back and neck aches, and nosebleeds, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to conflicting medical evidence regarding the frequency and severity of his migraine headaches, which are currently rated as noncompensable. The Board finds further development necessary to determine if the Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for readjudication of the claims due to additional evidence received since the June 2018 Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was received and is remanding the cases for issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his sinus condition and chronic headaches, as well as his TDIU claim, require additional development due to incomplete information or evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's head injury residuals and his claimed neurological problems, including headaches. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches due to PTSD are denied.,Obstructive sleep apnea is not considered secondary to PTSD. The examiner found that obesity causes sleep apnea rather than PTSD.,Hypertension was also not considered secondary to PTSD. The examiner noted multiple risk factors for hypertension including age, family history, and obesity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the timing and nature of his exposure to herbicides, as well as incomplete treatment records. The AOJ is instructed to verify proximity to Vietnam and obtain pertinent VA treatment records.

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several issues, including the rating for chronic headaches and service connection for various ankle and knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development on several issues, including service connection and rating determinations. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of this development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding her claimed condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and sleep disorder with chronic fatigue due to new and material evidence. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in equipoise and resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding a current diagnosis related to an in-service stressor. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue, sleep disorder, skin disorder, headaches, muscle pain, joint pain, and gastrointestinal disorders. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that they are caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus. However, it denied service connection for sleep apnea due to a lack of current diagnosis.

Service connection for headaches is granted. The Veteran's headaches are linked to her service-connected PTSD and/or TBI.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left shoulder condition, surgical scars, nerve damage, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is denied.