Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and granted it effective from February 26, 2004.

The Veteran's headaches and PTSD have been granted service connection, but his stomach disability has not. The initial evaluation for PTSD was increased to 50 percent.

The Board found no evidence of post-polio syndrome in service or subsequent to service, and concluded that the Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his period of active military service.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD and headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were not chronic in service and are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the reduction of the disability evaluation for migraine headaches from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2007 was not appropriate and restored the original 30 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and depression, due to lack of evidence supporting their onset or association with service.

The Board found no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current TBI, to include headaches, to service. The VA treatment records do not show a continuity of symptomatology from service to the present. Therefore, service connection for TBI is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent based on evidence showing characteristic prostrating attacks occurring at least once a month over several months.

The Board has remanded the case due to failure in duty to assist and jurisdictional issues. The Veteran's claims for service connection are now pending again with the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported injuries during service did not result in current disabilities and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's vascular headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and memory and concentration problems, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected chronic fatigue. The appeals were reopened based on new evidence, and both issues have been remanded multiple times.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his current symptoms and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder with psychotic features, sleep apnea, migraines, lumbar spine degenerative changes, right knee injuries, and hypertension, render him housebound or in need of aid and attendance. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's headaches, low back disability, and skin disability are not related to his military service. The Veteran does have a skin disability that is related to his service.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has determined that a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted.

The Veteran's current internal hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The issue of service connection for headaches remains unresolved as the evidence is insufficient to determine a nexus with service.

The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for dysthymia with insomnia and entitlement to service connection for generalized headaches. The claim for right hip disorder and left hip disorder were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including clarification of the appellant's purported stressors and a VA psychiatric examination. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for PTSD and migraine headaches was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran did not timely file a notice of disagreement regarding an earlier effective date assigned in January 2002 for his service-connected PTSD.