Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for brainstem, cervical spine, and headache disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative joint disease began in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome and migraine headaches have been granted service connection. Other claims of service connection for various disabilities remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show entitlement to higher ratings within a year of the date of claim.,An effective date earlier than June 15, 2007 was denied for the 20 percent rating for residuals of a fracture of the left tibia due to lack of medical records in the year prior to the claim.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The claim for higher initial ratings for headaches and degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine remains before the Board.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected tension and migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for various shoulder, knee, and lumbar spine disorders as well as migraine headaches. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not considered to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed tension headaches and post traumatic degenerative joint disease of the right ankle are related to his military service, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a personal hearing before a Member of the Board by live videoconference.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have migraines or fatigue, concentration loss, and memory loss that are related to his active service. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's headaches are not productive of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months, and thus do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, concussion with post-traumatic headaches, and chronic sinusitis are all rated at the lowest possible initial disability ratings due to their severity not meeting higher criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current sinusitis disability related to service, and thus, the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis with headaches is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary prior to adjudicating the claims on the merits, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's chronic headaches were first manifested during service or within one year of separation, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. For headaches, while there is no direct evidence linking them to service, the Board also finds it at least as likely as not that they are caused by a service-connected disability (hypertension).

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent effective February 9, 2007 and increased to 50 percent effective September 27, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and residuals of a head injury were denied as there was no credible evidence of an in-service head injury or related disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since the initial rating period, reflecting noncompensable limitation of motion due to painful arthritis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.