Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including significant mental health and physical conditions, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantial employment. Therefore, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for all the listed issues, and the Board has dismissed them.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for lactose intolerance and tension type headaches, both claimed as due to undiagnosed illnesses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle conditions and migraine headaches are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease was denied. The petition to reopen the claim for headaches was granted, but the claim for sleep apnea remains not established. Service connection for left varicocele and recurrent low back strain with mechanical low back pain and lumbar spasm were both denied.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus service connection is denied.,Service connection for a back disability and headaches is denied as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, psychiatric disability (depression and alcohol abuse disorder), headaches, hypertension, and diabetes have been granted. The diagnoses of depression and alcohol abuse disorder are linked to service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for headaches and TBI, as well as his claim for a total disability individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 19, 2014. The case is being returned to the Board for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board found that her pre-existing respiratory condition (asthma) did not worsen during service, and her headaches were not related to a service injury or event.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right knee disability, major depressive disorder, erectile dysfunction, and headaches. The decision is based on direct service connection as there are no allegations or evidence suggesting a presumption-based claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and headaches are all granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded due to the need for a new VA audiological examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, carpal tunnel syndrome of the hands, low back disorder, hypertension, varicose veins, pulmonary sarcoidosis, and left foot disorder are all remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disorder, right knee disorder, right foot disorder (pes planus), and right varicose veins are not addressed as they do not involve secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for headaches as the Veteran did not present evidence of a current disability and no nexus to service. The right ankle rating was reduced from 20% to 10%, but restored due to lack of proper procedural steps.,For the period prior to April 27, 2016, the Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his disabilities affected a single body system and were severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claims on appeal may be decided. The Veteran's sleep apnea and IBS are remanded for new VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology, as well as whether they are related to service-connected disabilities. Migraine headaches are also remanded due to its potential secondary relationship with sleep apnea.

The Board has denied compensable ratings for tension headaches and occluded right carotid artery, but has remanded the issue of service connection for a throat condition due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection, as they started during his military service and continue to occur. His adjustment disorder with depression is also granted service connection, as it was aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a major depressive disorder and a chronic headache disability, with the headaches being secondary to the major depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss disability, residuals of a stroke, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) as there was no evidence to support these conditions during her active duty or within one year of separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to new and relevant evidence added to the record since the most recent Supplemental Statement of the Case in June 2018.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and a 30 percent rating for chronic mixed-feature headaches is granted. The issue of TDIU has been remanded.