Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, anxiety disorder, status-post PFPS of the left knee, GERD with irritable bowel syndrome, migraine headaches, and psoriatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an ear, eye, migraine headache, fainting, or knee disability for which service connection can be granted based on direct service connection. The evidence is against finding any such disabilities were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's headaches had their onset in service and are granted as service connected.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a conclusion that any current neurological/neurocognitive/neuropsychiatric disability, including headaches, is related to service or secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's headaches. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA neurological examination to determine the current severity of his muscle tension headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral shoulder, and headache disorders. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular evaluation of 10 percent was assigned for tinnitus and there is no provision for separate evaluations for bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic arthritis of the knees, undiagnosed illness characterized by fatigue, sleep disturbance and memory loss, hiatal hernia with esophageal reflux, and muscle contraction headaches are all rated at their respective disability levels. The increased ratings for the knee conditions and the hiatal hernia have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal due to inadequate VA examination reports and outstanding records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's appeal for increased rating of migraine headaches was withdrawn. The Board found that there is no evidence to support service connection for a back disability or bilateral hand condition.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD has been granted with a rating of 50%, but his claim for headaches was denied. The appeal is not about service connection for joint problems.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected bilateral pleural calcifications with bilateral diaphragmatic calcifications and headache disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and incomplete VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches are likely due to his service in the Republic of Vietnam, including exposure to noise and combat injuries. As such, these conditions have been granted as service-connected.

The Board has not addressed the claims for sinus condition, right shoulder strain, and right hand condition (numbness, tingling and cramping). The appeal is REMANDED to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations. The issues of service connection, TDIU, and Social Security Administration (SSA) benefits are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,There is no evidence of record to support service connection for a bilateral knee condition or headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Veteran's headaches are currently under consideration as part of his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records from Battle Creek VAMC dated from November 2011 to June 2012.