Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulders, migraines (including as due to service-connected fibromyalgia, PTSD and IBS), a respiratory disorder (sinusitis), rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected fibromyalgia, and rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are inadequate and remands the cases for further development, including obtaining new medical opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for thoracic spine condition, low back injury, and chronic headaches.

The Veteran's TBI claim is being remanded due to insufficient detail in the VA examinations regarding symptoms unique to the TBI. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is intertwined with the TBI claim.

The Board denied service connection for chronic bronchitis, sinusitis, and headaches. The Veteran's PTSD was also denied an increased rating prior to June 25, 2018.,Service connection was not established for any of the conditions due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, PTSD, migraines, bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, coccydynia, and rhomboid muscle strain with bilateral trapezius muscle strain, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The decision grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of hearing loss.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent, but no greater, for DDD of the lumbar spine with IVDS from June 30, 2014 is granted. The Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of forward flexion and IVDS episodes.,The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is denied as the evidence does not support a rating greater than 20 percent.,An initial disability rating of 30 percent, but no greater, for posttraumatic headaches from June 30, 2014 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple new and material evidence-based claims that require additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's TBI, left upper extremity neurologic impairment as secondary to service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, headaches, and PTSD have been granted. The Veteran is being remanded for further examinations to determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than August 4, 2014 for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened due to new evidence relating to a nexus to service or service-connected disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been remanded as the current severity of these conditions needs to be determined.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including new VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are granted a 50% disability rating from September 25, 2015. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU effective from the date of his claim.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and tension headaches are granted as secondary to service-connected anxiety.,Remaining issues of service connection for lumbar, cervical, thoracic spine disorders, left-hand disorder, right-hand disorder, paresthesia of the upper extremities, and sciatic pain are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities as well as migraine headaches due to insufficient rationale in previous medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals, and the Board dismissed all issues due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine, migraine headache, left shoulder and neck, hiatal hernia without reflux also claimed as upper hernia, and lower hernia disabilities have been dismissed. The appeal of the glaucoma issue is remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's migraine headache disability, finding that it began during his active duty and is related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further review due to additional medical evidence being added to the claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment as a project manager, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, epistaxis (nosebleeds), right ankle sprain, left elbow skin disorder, a left foot disorder, right side rib contusion, an external canal occlusion, and headaches.