Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been manifested by symptoms occurring, on average, three to four times per week. The disability has not resulted in very frequent completely prostrating attacks with prolonged attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines headaches are manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches, finding that his mild, episodic headaches were not related to his military service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and consideration, including obtaining an opinion on whether service-connected PTSD aggravated hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches has been granted, with a current rating of 10 percent. The service connection for the painful joint condition remains unchanged as it is determined to be direct in nature.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an employment handicap, and therefore she does not meet the criteria for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31 of Title 38 U.S.C.A.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding service connection for headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's headaches and migraines were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and are not due to an undiagnosed illness as a result of service in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were withdrawn, and her right knee degenerative joint disease was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether claims for service connection for migraine headaches and hypertensive vascular disease are being raised, as well as scheduling a Board videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for restless leg syndrome, psychiatric disorder, sleep disturbance, headaches, hypothyroidism, and Epstein-Barr virus on the basis of presumptive service connection under the provisions for Veterans of the Persian Gulf War. The appeals were not granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for coronary artery disease and migraines have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board finds the Veteran's visual disorder not related to his active military service, but grants a 30 percent disability rating for post concussion headaches since April 17, 2012. The Veteran is entitled to a higher staged rating of 50 percent.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions as new and material evidence was not provided to reopen the claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches and blackouts that he believes are related to head trauma sustained during active duty. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for an examination to determine if these conditions are secondary to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including migraines, left hip strain, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee degenerative joint disease, and cervical spine osteodegenerative disease. The Board has determined that further examination is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and migraine headaches, finding that new evidence supports a reopening of the claim. The Board also found in favor of granting service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence showing their relationship to service.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection has been denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim is May 11, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating assigned for right calcaneal tendonitis was upheld, as was the denial of service connection for bilateral pes planus, sinusitis, bronchitis, left foot disability, and right foot disability.