Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board has denied service connection for vision condition and remanded the issues of left hip strain, left arm numbness, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and sleep problems. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's chronic headache disorder, finding that there was clear and unmistakable evidence showing the condition pre-existed his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and migraine headaches, as well as his claim for TDIU, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination.

The appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to August 14, 2009 are dismissed. From August 14, 2009, the Veteran's residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. For the period prior to March 24, 2022, he is granted a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn by her representative in February 2021, resulting in the dismissal of all related claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic headache disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The claims for higher ratings on multiple lipomas, right shoulder disability, and TDIU are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, neck pain, right pectoralis muscle strain, and headaches. The claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn led to his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of the Veteran's periods of active duty, and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a headache disorder due to in-service injuries, including a documented explosion that caused burns. The Veteran's TBI is being evaluated again as new evidence may have been obtained.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. Specifically, a new medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's hypertension and headache disability.

The Veteran's service connection for migraine headaches is granted, with the condition being considered a separate disability from his already service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for anxiety disorder unspecified was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim within one year of discharge.,An initial rating in excess of 70 percent for anxiety disorder unspecified was denied due to the absence of total occupational and social impairment.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches associated with hypertension was denied as the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, and CAD as secondary to a current non-service-connected depressive disorder due to an inadequate opinion in the December 2020 VA addendum.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for sleep apnea and headaches due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their onset during service or relation to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches and sinus disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service or secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Board also found that there was insufficient continuity of symptomatology to support a claim based on chronic diseases.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating for migraine headaches, effective prior to March 13, 2019, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The claims for sleep apnea and tension headaches as secondary to the cervical spine disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right and left knee conditions, a respiratory condition (including asthma), sleep apnea, and headaches. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical records, seek private treatment records, determine qualifying service under 38 C.F.R. § 3.320(a)(4), provide a VA examination for the Veteran's respiratory condition, and obtain an opinion for his headache condition.