Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened and a new rating of 50 percent is granted effective March 30, 2012.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches was dismissed as moot due to the restoration of the 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected unknown febrile illness (claimed as malaria and cerebral malaria) is not active, resulting in no residuals other than the symptoms of epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis. The Veteran's epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis was rated based on its severity prior to September 9, 2019, and from that date onwards, a higher rating of 60 percent has been granted.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining addendum opinions regarding his cervical spine DDD and headaches. The issues of service connection and increased ratings are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for right shoulder, right knee, headaches, and sleep apnea due to inadequate examination opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for a headache disorder. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to March 15, 2016 was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD, depression, and anxiety is denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is denied because the Veteran has not provided evidence that his condition was caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's migraines have been granted an initial rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for lumbar strain, cervical spine disorder, migraine headaches, and gastrointestinal disorder have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a headache disorder due to incomplete examination and lack of consideration of certain factors.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or relationship to service.,The Veteran's claims for skin disabilities are remanded as the VA examiner did not address the in-service treatment records showing skin conditions during service.,The Veteran's heart disability claim is remanded as the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on direct causation due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of erectile dysfunction, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including mood disorders, major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and PTSD) due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, an increased rating for his right fourth finger disability, and a TDIU due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected as it was not shown in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and there is no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that his current back condition is related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's fatigue symptoms are attributed to other service-connected disabilities (fibromyalgia) and non-service-connected conditions (sleep apnea, PTSD, insomnia). The Board finds that there is no objective indication of a qualifying chronic disability manifested by fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness or MUCMI.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records from VA medical facilities in Boston, Massachusetts. The Veteran needs to be notified about the unavailability of these records.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board finds no legal basis for a higher rating and denies the claim. For the other issues, remand is required to obtain additional medical opinions and potentially new VA examinations.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the issues of service connection for sinus bradycardia, bronchitis, dizziness, and headaches. As a result, there are no remaining issues to be decided by the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is remanded to obtain a more thorough opinion on their etiology.

The Veteran's prostate cancer is granted service connection due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents at Camp Lejeune. Service connection for migraine headaches is denied as there is no causal relationship established between the in-service headaches and current migraines.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis are denied. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service. Bilateral hearing loss claim is remanded as it involves noise exposure during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his claimed conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, intestinal problems, joint pain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right knee condition, left knee condition, lower back condition, and residuals of a rib injury on the left side.