Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Board found no evidence of a current headache disability and concluded that the Veteran's headaches were not incurred in service. The claim for service connection for a pilonidal cyst was also denied as there is no indication of a current condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a back condition, a left knee condition, and chronic sinusitis are also inextricably intertwined with the main claim.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding her undiagnosed illness or Gulf War service. Her initial rating claim for PTSD is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's chronic headaches, disability of the pancreas as secondary to substance abuse, disability of the bowel as secondary to substance abuse, and disability of the liver as secondary to substance abuse. Service connection for heart disease (including congestive heart failure) remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic headaches do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran is now entitled to a 50 percent rating for his residuals of head injury, including headaches, effective May 22, 2009.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The Veteran's current headaches are shown to be etiologically related to his active military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran seeks service connection for migraine and tension headaches. The Board has ordered a remand to clarify the nature of any pre-existing conditions and their relationship to military service.

The Board has determined that a new examination and etiological opinion are necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches. The Veteran is also requested to identify any follow-up appointments with private health-care providers for treatment of his migraines.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if he had any periods of Federalized National Guard service and to obtain updated medical records. His claims for bilateral hearing loss, migraine headaches, psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and chronic fatigue are currently under review.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and ocular hypertension, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been present since his military service. The effective date remains to be determined.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of hepatitis C, migraine headaches, a disability manifested by memory loss, a disability manifested by insomnia, a major depressive disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration records, scheduling a VA examination, and considering the issues of TDIU.

The Veteran's headaches and dizziness are not shown to be related to his active service, including a head injury sustained during service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, cognitive changes, and memory loss as due to an undiagnosed illness. The Veteran's claim for service connection was reopened based on new evidence.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches were manifested by daily attacks and weekly prostrating episodes prior to May 5, 2007, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected sinusitis and headaches have been granted initial compensable ratings of 30 percent each. The right and left knee disabilities are rated based on their specific limitations.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his in-service injuries. The remaining issues are addressed on remand.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected migraine headaches has been withdrawn by the Veteran and his representative. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review this issue.