Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD was denied as the preponderance of evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his military service.,Service connection for headaches was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no credible evidence linking the Veteran’s current headache diagnosis to his service.

The Board has granted a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for service-connected migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are more nearly manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and hypertension are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions. The issues will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinus/allergy disability and headache disability due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error. The case must be remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's sinus headaches/chronic cephalgia are not productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, thus the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the March 2019 VA examination report was inadequate and directing an addendum opinion be obtained. The examiner is asked to provide opinions regarding whether the Veteran's migraines are related to service or his service-connected anemia.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for sciatica, right lower extremity is denied. The claim for service connection for a neck disability with headaches has been reopened but not yet decided on the merits. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on various service-connected disabilities were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an acquired psychiatric disorder, which resolved the benefit sought.

The Veteran's claims for fatigue, bronchitis, asthma, COPD, a sleep condition (claimed as sleep apnea), high cholesterol, diverticulosis, colon polyps, kidney stones, facial acne, cysts and lumps, and headaches have all been denied.,There is no evidence of any chronic conditions related to service or exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, increased rating for PTSD, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The remand requires obtaining updated medical records and an addendum to a previous VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's headaches.

The decision denies additional attorney fees as a result of past due benefits awarded in the November 24, 2014 rating decision for service connection for PTSD, scar of the cervical spine, and tension headaches, along with grants of SMC-HB and TDIU.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for dizziness and headaches, finding that there is no evidence of these conditions during service or related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and seizures have been reopened, but the claim remains denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to service. The Veteran's left nasal septum deviation continues to be rated at 10%.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's migraines and his eligibility for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for depression and headaches due to a lack of VA treatment records, which may contain relevant evidence. The Veteran will need to provide these records or their availability will be determined.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vascular headaches has been granted. The issue of service connection for a seizure disability is dismissed.

The Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, but his chronic headaches are rated at the highest possible level (50%). The TDIU claim is denied as he can still engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for hallux valgus, service connection for headaches, and TDIU due to missing VA examinations. The Veteran's representative requested that these issues be remanded due to confusion regarding examination dates.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including increased ratings for PTSD and tinnitus, a TDIU determination, service connection claims, and effective date determinations. The Board found that the Veteran submitted a timely substantive appeal to the January 2015 Statements of the Case (SOCs).