Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been rated at 30 percent since February 26, 2014. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and their impact on work.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee and cervical spine disorders, as well as his claim for an increased rating for left knee disability, were denied. However, the Veteran was granted a 60% rating for post-total replacement of the left knee.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current disability for VA purposes due to bilateral hearing loss, and thus denied service connection for this condition.,Service connection was also denied for tinnitus as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current tinnitus and his military service.

The Board dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals, which was deemed effective when received by the Board.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but effective dates earlier than the assigned dates are determined to be appropriate.,For headaches and gastrointestinal disability, service connection was established on a direct basis.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on January 23, 2011, were not for a medical emergency of such nature that delay in seeking immediate medical attention would have been hazardous to his health. VA facilities were feasibly available at the time and he did not seek preauthorization from VA.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are related to his service, while his low back disorder is not. The claim for headaches is granted, and the claim for a low back disorder remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, tinnitus as a residual of TBI, and headaches with light sensitivity as a residual of TBI. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his in-service head injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and found that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to her military sexual trauma. The issue of secondary service connection for headaches is left unresolved as there was not enough evidence provided by the VA examiner regarding the relationship between the non-sinus headaches and PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, depression, and migraine headaches are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service, including exposure in the Gulf War theater. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's headaches, including cluster headaches and migraines, are related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a migraine headache disorder and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent since September 19, 2011, and left knee strain with arthralgia is rated at 10 percent overall.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to the lack of notice regarding an earlier scheduled hearing. The claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's migraines headaches warrant a rating of 50 percent, but not higher throughout the period of the claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal concerning the issues of entitlement to service connection for a throat disability, bilateral hearing loss, a right hand disability, headaches, a neck disability, and a low back disability.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for headaches and dizziness, finding that they were not incurred or aggravated during a period of active duty training (ACDUTRA).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and schizophrenia, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.