Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability, denied the temporary total evaluation for July 2011 cervical spine surgery, denied an initial compensable rating for posttraumatic headaches, and denied SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence, including a November 2003 neurologist's statement suggesting complicated migraines.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The appeal of entitlement to service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current migraines are related to his service. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA examination to determine if there is a link between his in-service accident and his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, migraines, a bilateral shoulder condition, residuals of bilateral tibia fractures, and a neck condition have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for lumbar, bladder, and peripheral neuropathy disabilities as well as a migraine headache rating. The gynecological disability claim was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran's OSA and related conditions are not related to his active duty service, while his heart condition, hypertension, and other claimed conditions lack sufficient evidence of a nexus to his military service.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's headaches are related to service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, but the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, GERD, IBS, sinusitis, bronchitis, chronic headaches, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity have all been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a more thorough VA examination to address the nature, duration, and frequency of his migraine headaches over the entire claim period. The examiner should also note any impact on employment.

Service connection for a cervical spine disorder and headache disorder is denied. The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 is granted as of August 7, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches as due to an undiagnosed illness is being remanded. The Board notes that the effective date of this increased rating was August 8, 2016.,The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA prior to June 20, 2011 are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for traumatic brain injury, migraine headaches, and major depressive disorder.,All three conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, migraine, and right wrist disability. Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, arm disability, right elbow disability, left thigh cyst, and ulcers.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA eye examination and updated information regarding his unemployability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for a compensable rating for degenerative changes of the right hand and service connection for occipital headaches (claimed as headaches occurring from neuropathy) due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for TMJ disorder, headache disorder, and right shoulder disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a new examination to address these issues.