Migraines & headaches decisions — 2020

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, lumbar strain (claimed as low back disability), left wrist ganglion cyst, heat stroke residuals, neck disability, and head injury residuals to include headaches.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions due to a lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his service-connected headaches and the effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are being remanded due to pending VA examinations and procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected left shoulder strain, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran's left shoulder strain is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% due to very frequent, prostrating attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.,For cervical strain, a rating of 40% is granted since January 31, 2018, and the initial rating prior to this date remains at 20%. The Veteran's radiculopathy from his neck disability is also service-connected.

The Veteran's mental health disorder claim has been granted, rendering the issue moot.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as they are related to service-connected conditions.,Advanced dental gingival disease is not a compensable condition eligible for VA compensation.,Service connection for residuals of bladder cancer is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or nexus.,Service connection for residuals of head injury (other than headaches) is denied as there are no current disabilities other than chronic headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected syringomyelia (spinal cord injury) is granted. The initial rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 10 percent, and the initial rating for headaches is increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, a headache condition, hypertension, sinusitis/rhinitis, and COPD have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and insomnia. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional psychiatric disability and headaches as a result of VA medical treatment was denied because there is no evidence of an additional disability resulting from the VA treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for headaches and right foot condition due to frostbite, as additional evidence is needed.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, allergic rhinitis, anemia with vitamin D deficiency, and other medical issues. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful employment, as his combined disability rating is at least 70 percent but he failed to provide the necessary information for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher initial rating for service-connected tension headaches due to TBI.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's PTSD aggravated these conditions. The effective dates remain pending as no specific date was determined.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in a previous medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion addressing whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran suffers from headaches which were incurred in or are otherwise related to service, including due to being hit in the head or due to asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD and for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The VA must obtain all outstanding VA treatment records, including those scanned into the imaging system.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headache disorder and hypertension, as well as a higher evaluation for her tinnitus. The Board found that there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, was granted. Service connection for PTSD was denied. Other claims were remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, back condition, tinnitus, headache condition, COPD, stomach issues, and bilateral knee condition are being returned to the RO for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for dementia, vertigo (lightheadedness/dizziness), migraines, and abdominal scar. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, bilateral bunionectomies, gout, hypothyroidism, heart disease, hypertension, left hand arthritis, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, and lumbar spine disability are denied as not related to service.