Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions during active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for OSA, GERD, a headache disorder, a skin disorder, and a respiratory disorder due to lack of adequate opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's reports of continuity of symptoms since service are considered.

The Veteran's medical expenses at Bothwell Regional Health Center on December 31, 2015 are covered as the treatment was for a condition that would have been considered an emergency by a prudent layperson and there were no feasible VA facilities available.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, stroke disability, and service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability, migraine headaches disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The remaining issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability (numbness and swelling in the ankles and feet), service connection for migraine headaches disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's headaches associated with right shoulder impingement have been granted a 50% evaluation effective June 23, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of nasal fracture with sinus headaches, finding that these conditions are due to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10 percent from July 1, 2011.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability was denied as there is no evidence of chronic or long-term headaches during active service, and the current condition is not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability was granted as his current cervical strain and degenerative arthritis are at least as likely as not caused by carrying a radio on his back during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The issues include low back disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and headaches.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches have been rated at 30 percent since January 31, 2012.,Cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders are both remanded for further evaluation.,Residuals of TBI are also remanded for further evaluation.,Hypertension is remanded to determine if it is secondary to service-connected TBI or PTSD.,Right ear pain associated with the TBI is also remanded for a determination on its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected CAD and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and migraine headaches are service-connected, but his TBI residuals are not. The decision also remanded the issue of a total disability based on individual unemployability prior to January 11, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of meningitis, chronic headaches, low back disability, sciatica of the lower extremities, and left ankle disability due to in-service injuries. The issues are being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Veteran's cervicothoracic dysfunction prior to March 28, 2017 is rated at 20 percent and the appeal for a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are currently rated as non-compensable (0%) and the appeal for a compensable rating is granted.,The Veteran's facial dyschromia is rated as moderate incomplete paralysis and the appeal for a higher rating is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for allergies and migraine headaches due to incomplete information about his periods of active duty, lack of examination for both conditions, and failure to consider other areas of service. The RO should confirm the Veteran’s periods of Active Duty for Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty for Training (INACDUTRA), evaluate whether the conditions are related to Reserve or National Guard service, arrange for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his allergies and migraine headaches, and review all medical records associated with his service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, headaches, tinnitus, and psychiatric disorder. Service connection is granted for tinnitus but other claims are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic headache disorder, but denied service connection for sinusitis. The decision on the sinusitis claim is based on new evidence received after an earlier denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's headaches and sleep apnea are granted as service connected. The Board found the evidence to be in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected depressive disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it secondary to service-connected PTSD. The decision also remanded the issues of entitlement to a headache disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.