Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's chronic headaches are not related to service, and the Board finds that a current headache disorder was less likely caused by or aggravated by his mental health disabilities.,There is no evidence of a laceration scar in the groin area during service. The Veteran's current scar above the right eyebrow does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection related to headaches, fatigue, and an acquired psychiatric disorder require additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in prior examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid disability was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted, but the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.,Service connection for gout is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a back disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a prostate disability is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a kidney disability is denied as there is no evidence it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a left ankle disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for a right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence that it began during active service or is related to a service-connected condition.,Service connection for headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as they are caused by the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.,Effective dates prior to July 9, 2015, for bilateral hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of medical examination and outstanding records. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is being sent back for further evaluation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent prior to December 9, 2017 and at 30 percent beginning December 9, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, chronic headaches, and psychiatric disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The AOJ should obtain copies of VA treatment records for the Veteran's disabilities from October 2019 to the present, verify all active duty for training and inactive duty training dates for alleged service, and obtain his complete service treatment records. A VA examination must also be scheduled for the Veteran regarding his left shoulder disability, migraine headaches, and cervical spine disability.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including headache disorders, cardiovascular disorders, sleep disorders, dizziness, visual disorders, and psychiatric disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service events.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examiner to provide an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches, including whether they are related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and migraine headaches due to a lack of complete STRs. The Veteran's STRs are unavailable, but VA is required to assist in obtaining them.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder, degenerative arthritis of the spine, GERD and hiatal hernia, and migraine headaches require further evaluation due to lack of recent VA examinations.,Additional medical evidence may be needed for a proper assessment.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches as the evidence did not show a nexus between the condition and service, or that it manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records from her previous healthcare provider.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received, but the issues of entitlement to service connection remain unresolved.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for a thyroid nodule, including due to ionizing radiation exposure and chemical exposure. The issues of headaches and allergic rhinitis have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent from April 14, 2007 to December 18, 2008; in excess of 20 percent from December 19, 2008 to January 5, 2021 (to include since May 14, 2012); and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for a low back disability. The TBI claim is also remanded. Separate ratings are requested for the Veteran's TBI and specified trauma and stressor related disorder. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the timeliness of the May 2017 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) because new service treatment records were associated with the case, necessitating a reconsideration rather than reopening. The issues on appeal have been considered and denied.

Service connection for TBI and chronic headache disorder has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to the need for additional evidence.