Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disability, and a headache disability.,There was no clear evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing hearing loss was aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinus condition, headache and/or neurologic conditions, and right ankle sprain due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still remanded as further development is needed to determine if there is a relationship between the current disabilities and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and TBI with headaches should be remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected PTSD aggravates her migraines and tension headaches. The case is now pending for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and thyroid disability are all granted. The decision also denies the claim for a thyroid disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to April 23, 2017 and a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine disorder from that date were both denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's low back, bilateral leg, groin, migraine headaches, and dizzy spells, vertigo, and Meniere's syndrome claims are being reviewed.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 10 percent prior to June 24, 2015 and at 30 percent beginning from that date. The current rating is considered appropriate.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 20% rating, effective from the date of decision. The Veteran's TBI prior to September 23, 2008 and since that date are both rated at 10%. No new evidence or changes in service connection were presented.

The Veteran's chronic headache disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, is denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that no claim was received prior to September 11, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, right upper extremity disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, and right knee disability. The Board found that these conditions did not have their onset in service or are not related to any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's post-operative scar resulting from removal of a sebaceous cyst resulted in several small surgical scars which were not deep, did not involve tissue loss, and were less than 39 sq. cm. in size.

The Veteran's neurodermatitis has not been rated higher than noncompensable due to the lack of systemic therapy or characteristic lesions involving more than 20 percent of total body area or exposed areas.,The Board is remanding the claims for service connection for dizziness and balance problems, headaches, and OSA as secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the claim for sleep disorder (Nightmare Disorder) has been granted.,Other claims remain pending and are being remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a head injury, including headaches and seizures, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his in-service head injury. The decision also grants service connection for a seizure disorder, attributing it to the same head injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for anemia, migraine headaches, major hair loss/balding (alopecia areata), nerve damage of the right hand, nerve damage of the left hand, and PTSD have been remanded. The claim for rectal bleeding is also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 70% rating, and his right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy prior to December 6, 2018 was also granted a 40% rating. The Veteran's right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy since December 6, 2018 is denied any increase in rating beyond the current 40%. A TDIU was granted effective June 20, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, acid reflux disease, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for residuals from a head injury, headache disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, and bilateral knee disorder. The evidence does not support finding that these conditions are related to service.