Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and a heart disability due to lack of an opinion on etiology. The Veteran contends he was exposed to herbicides during service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and a migraine disorder, both of which are claimed to be related to her service-connected lumbar spine disability. The evidence does not support the claim that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left leg or knee disability, rectal bleeding, swollen hands and feet, rheumatoid arthritis, multi-site arthritis of the right shoulder, multi-site arthritis of the right hip, multi-site arthritis of the cervical spine (neck), multi-site arthritis of the lumbar spine (low back), right leg nerve damage, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, left kidney disability, gallbladder disability, sinusitis, headaches, appendix disability, discoloration and bacteria on the feet, erectile dysfunction, and eye disability or vision problems. The Board found no current disabilities for several conditions and concluded that there is insufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating, PTSD is denied any higher ratings, and TBI residuals are granted a 40% rating.

The appeal on the issues of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, migraines, and urinary disability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of a verified in-service stressor. The issues of increased ratings for major depressive disorder with TBI, post traumatic headaches, and low back disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination. The Veteran's appeal of the remaining issues is dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to inadequate opinions and the need for further development.,Specifically, hypertension, head injury, headaches, back disability, ulcers, respiratory disability (chronic cough), and chest pain are all being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for high blood pressure, back condition, bilateral eye condition, bladder incontinence, headaches (HA), right knee, left knee, and erectile dysfunction deformity due to insufficient evidence. The claims are being reviewed again with consideration of service connection based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is at least 70 percent, meeting the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis since August 14, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn. The Board has denied the remaining claims of service connection for a headache disorder, jaw disorder, neck disorder, lower back disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, right knee disorder, and left foot disorder (numbness and tingling).

The appeal for an increased disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is dismissed. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea has been reopened, and the case for residuals of TBI with migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination to address the etiology of his headaches and their relationship to service-connected allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's initial rating for right knee degenerative joint disease/right knee strain is denied, but a separate 10 percent rating for right knee instability prior to July 8, 2021 is granted.,An initial rating higher than 30 percent for vestibular migraine headaches and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood prior to July 3, 2014 are both remanded. A rating higher than 30 percent for adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood between July 3, 2014 and March 28, 2016 is also remanded. A rating higher than 50 percent for major depressive disorder (previously rated as adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood prior) from March 28, 2016 is remanded.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease/right knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent. The Veteran seeks a higher rating, but the Board finds no evidence to support such an increase in disability level.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines are being sent back for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination reports and a need for further medical opinions. The Veteran's conditions are related to his Gulf War service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date of September 14, 2001, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The appeal for secondary service connection for migraines to include as secondary to service-connected disabilities is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine disability and tension headaches, finding that there was no current evidence of these conditions or their relationship to military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and unclear evidence regarding his claimed disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, and a comprehensive physical and mental health examination will be conducted to determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to his military service.