Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to additional medical records being added to the claims file after an August 2017 Supplemental Statement of Case.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is not service-connected as it predated and was aggravated by a motor vehicle accident, not related to service.,There is no evidence of PTSD or an acquired psychiatric disability (including depressive disorder) in service. The Veteran has reported symptoms since October 2010 but lacks a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's sleep disorder remains unexplained without further medical evidence.,Bilateral pes planus was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's request to reopen claims for chronic headaches and arthritis, bilateral hands was denied as the new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate these claims.,The Veteran's requests to reopen claims for hepatitis C, bilateral vision issues, sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer were also denied due to lack of material evidence addressing the service connection elements of in-service incurrence or nexus.

The Veteran's tension headaches were rated at 30 percent from January 30, 2012 to May 2018. The Board found the symptoms more nearly approximated once a month prostrating attacks not productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The DJD of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent from January 30, 2012 to May 2018. The Board found the flexion limitation did not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's chronic vertigo and chronic headaches are granted with a 30% rating, but no more. The case is remanded for further examination of the Veteran's chronic headaches.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 30 percent evaluation, effective November 7, 2018. The Board found that the severity and frequency of his headaches warranted this rating.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various issues due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Veteran's VR&E benefits were discontinued due to her failure to cooperate with extended evaluation and the determination that achievement of a vocational goal is not currently reasonably feasible.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, as appeals do not survive their deaths.

The Veteran's claims for headaches, vestibular and dizziness condition (secondary to service-connected tinnitus), sleep apnea, and blurry vision are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Specifically, a new examination is required for each of these conditions to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected conversion reaction manifested by headaches is granted a 50% rating from May 23, 2016. The other issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability was denied in March 2011. The Board has reopened the claim due to new and material evidence submitted since then, but it is remanded for further examination as the May 2014 VA opinion is inadequate.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, heart disability, headaches, and left shoulder disability are all denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is not service-connected.,His erectile dysfunction and chest pain are not service-connected.

The Board has found no evidence linking the Veteran's migraine headaches or PTSD to her military service, and thus denied both claims. The case is being remanded for further development regarding PTSD due to MST.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, headaches, back condition, nose condition, bilateral hearing loss, patellofemoral syndrome with hyperextension injury and suspected ACL involvement of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and residuals of a right shoulder injury. The Board has determined that further development is needed for these issues.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at a 30 percent disability rating. The Board has found that the Veteran’s migraine headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome are not service-connected, with remand required for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection as they are proximately due to or a result of his service-connected PTSD. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and prostatitis is denied, while service connection for hemorrhoids is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD but remanded the issue of service connection for migraine headaches due to lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 30, 2014 for the award of service connection for migraine headaches was denied. The Veteran also had a claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his migraine headaches which was denied.