Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for ear conditions, including otitis media and dysfunction of eustachian tube. The VA examiner did not provide a diagnosis for these conditions in the post-remand examination.,The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, otitis media, and dysfunction of eustachian tube are currently pending.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the appeals for depression, erectile dysfunction, sleep apnea, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including a seizure disorder, is granted. The Board also remanded several other issues related to the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for sleep apnea is granted, service connection for headaches is granted, and the appeal regarding chronic fatigue syndrome is dismissed. The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate rationale in VA examinations and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's vertigo and migraine headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's arthritis of the left wrist, right wrist, left hand, and lower extremities are remanded for further examination and opinion. Her Raynaud's syndromes and knee/ankle conditions are also remanded.

The Veteran's disability ratings for Migraine Headaches and Chronic Sinusitis were reduced, but the Board found that there was no actual improvement in their conditions. As a result, the ratings were restored to their previous levels.,The Veteran’s Migraine Headaches rating was restored from 30% to 30%, effective January 31, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder and headaches secondary to service-connected conditions, and awarded a 50 percent disability rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis and pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, bilateral pes planus, hallux abductovalgus and degenerative arthritis, heloma molles (soft corns of the feet), residuals of a left ankle injury, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, and right knee disorder have been granted. The right knee disorder is considered postoperative residuals from an arthroscopy procedure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including head condition, sleep disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastritis, cervical spine disability, numbness of upper extremities, knee disabilities, dizziness, arm disabilities, and skin condition. The issues are related to whether these conditions were incurred or aggravated during military service.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for a 30% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy, plantar fasciitis, and headaches. The Veteran did not have these conditions prior to November 21, 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension and headaches for further development. For hypertension, a VA examination is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service, including a lightning strike in 1957. For headaches, an addendum opinion is required to assess whether they are related to service-connected major depressive disorder with anxious distress or aggravated by it.

The Board has determined that the Veteran submitted a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) for multiple issues addressed in a December 2016 rating decision. The appeal is now REMANDED to issue an appropriate Statement of the Case (SOC).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, headaches, and hypertension have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection will be considered on a direct basis for all three conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left leg condition, right leg condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, and headaches due to lack of evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection of a low back (lumbar spine) disability due to lack of jurisdiction. The remaining claims for left knee, right elbow, and headache disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches. The other claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is sought for fibromyalgia, generalized muscle weakness and aching (due to an undiagnosed illness), and respiratory disorder (due to an undiagnosed illness). Additional development is needed.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was granted with an effective date of February 1, 2016.,The Veteran's TBI claim was also granted with an effective date of September 6, 2020.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including sciatica, back disability, right hip and knee disabilities, cold injury residuals, PTSD, chronic sinusitis, chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorder of the feet, fibromyalgia, stroke with left-side balance impairment, headaches (migraines), degenerative bone disease, heart disability, muscle pain and soreness, and a left eye disability. The Board found no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential intermediate stop of obesity between these conditions and the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.