Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was denied as there is no current diagnosis of a hearing loss disability. The claims for service connection for PTSD, anxiety and depression, and headaches were not addressed due to their interrelated nature.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder, finding that his headaches did not manifest in active service and were not otherwise etiologically related to his active service. The Board also found that his headache disorder was not caused by any of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of migraine headaches and peripheral neuropathy of the left and right great toes have been granted, with effective dates set at June 17, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar strain and compression fracture, prostate hypertrophy, urinary incontinence (secondary to prostate condition), bilateral knee condition, angina pectoris, hypertension, and seizures were all denied as not supported by evidence of a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cerebrovascular accident, right arm condition, right shoulder condition, back condition, bilateral upper and lower extremity neuropathy, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, and headaches have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for reopening his previously denied claim. The evidence received since the January 1991 rating decision does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for various symptoms, including shortness of breath, nightmares and twitching in sleep, mood swings, cold or night sweats, short term memory loss, headaches, fast heart beat, chest tightness or chest pain, joint pain and stiffness, sporadic pain, burning skin and feet, loss of vision, excessive fatigue, and lightheadedness. The Board found that these conditions were not due to undiagnosed illnesses in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for prostate conditions, kidney stones, hematuria, urinary tract infection, cystitis, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), and headaches. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these disabilities and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's headaches are related to his in-service exposure at Camp Lejeune and whether he has any residual disability from that exposure.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, left lower extremity/left ankle condition (crush injury), and bilateral pes planus are all rated at the maximum available under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for each of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic headaches, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and knee disabilities, were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

For the entirety of the appeal period extending from June 16, 2009, the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have not been productive of characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a headache disorder due to potential service connection issues, including consideration of alternative sources of evidence.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for residuals of concussion or traumatic brain injury, manifested by symptoms including vision impairment, loss of balance, headaches, dizziness, and memory problems. The Board has determined that additional clinical records from the Naval Hospital in Oakland are needed before deciding whether new and material evidence supports reopening the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current migraine headaches are related to his service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability and headaches, finding that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions or aggravation during service. The Board also found that the current symptoms are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no verified stressor event. The Board found that the Veteran did not engage in combat and his statements about a witnessed incident were insufficient to establish the occurrence of the alleged stressor.,Service connection for headaches was dismissed as there was no issue related to this condition on appeal.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and blackouts were not found to be related to service. The Board denied the claims for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear dates of service and unobtained service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing at the RO. The primary issues are an increased rating for migraines and TDIU.

The Veteran's PTSD and migraines are rated at the highest possible levels, with a 70% rating for PTSD and a 50% rating for migraines. The TDIU is granted as well.