Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), was not sustained during service or is otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent since October 10, 2012. The initial rating prior to that date remains noncompensable.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, but not for other conditions. The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral eye disability, nausea, loss of appetite and abdominal pain, recurring headaches, skin disability, and hearing loss remains denied.

Your claims for reopening service connection for bilateral knee disorder and headaches, as well as for service connection for disc disease and sciatica of the left lower extremity secondary to lumbosacral strain are being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and residuals of head injury, including headaches and vertigo, are related to traumatic accidents during active service. The decision is based on evidence in relative equipoise.

The Board finds that the Veteran's migraine headaches are as likely as not incurred during her period of active service, including a head injury in 2002. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain missing Reserve treatment records and verify his periods of inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a spinal tap is denied as there is no credible evidence establishing that he had a spinal tap in service or any current residuals thereof.

The Veteran's headache disorder was granted service connection, as it is considered to have been incurred in service. The right wrist disability claim remains pending and will be addressed at a future date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records, provide new examinations, and review the etiology of his claimed allergy/sinus condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disability resulted from VA medical personnel's negligence during a June 2007 visit to Oakland VA Medical Center, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for sinusitis, to include entitlement to a separate rating in excess of 30 percent for sinus headaches, effective from December 16, 2011, has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent since September 2, 2008. The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his PTSD.,The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 30 percent throughout the appeal period. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for this condition.,The Veteran's shrapnel injury of the right Achilles tendon has been rated at 10 percent since July 7, 2007. The Veteran is seeking a higher initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a previously scheduled hearing. He has requested a new Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his VA treatment records and providing him with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cephalgia (headaches) as due to an undiagnosed illness is granted. The claim for syncopal episodes (claimed as seizures) remains pending and requires further development.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with lumbar spondylosis is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's occipital neuralgia manifested by headaches, as secondary to degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, is found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a head injury, including chronic headaches. The Board has ordered additional development due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for flu-like symptoms, including headaches and sleep disturbance as due to an undiagnosed illness were denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The lumbar strain was rated 10 percent disabling, while the sinonasal disease did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.