Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's tension headaches were found to be severe enough to warrant a 30 percent rating from April 2, 2004 through April 4, 2012.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for stomach, left knee, right knee, and headache disorders.,As such, the original denial of service connection remains in effect.

The Veteran's current hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical degenerative disc disease with disc herniation, headaches, and bilateral shoulder condition are not considered to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for head trauma (headaches) and a scar from shrapnel wound to the right forearm, finding that new evidence supports the claim. The Veteran's headaches have been found to be related to his military service, and he is now eligible for compensation.

The Veteran's occipital neuralgia with chronic right sided headaches disability picture more nearly approximates characteristic prostrating attacks occurring approximately once each month since February 7, 2008.,The Veteran's headaches do not result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his failure to provide necessary releases for pertinent evidence within a year of the request.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a new examination to assess the severity of his head trauma residual headaches.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to April 5, 2012, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for migraine headaches (previously characterized as headaches due to undiagnosed illness) were denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability was also denied. Service connection claims for bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities were not addressed since they are not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make her unable to care for herself and she is in need of regular aid and attendance, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, but his claims for headaches and dizziness are remanded as he did not provide sufficient evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability and right groin injury were denied in March 2006. The claim to reopen these conditions was not perfected, as no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the denial.,For his lumbar spine disability, the Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent prior to March 28, 2011; 20 percent from March 28, 2011 to November 29, 2012; and 10 percent since November 30, 2012.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's Chiari I malformation and headaches are proximately due to his service-connected meningitis, meningococcal. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the current diagnoses and whether the Veteran's head trauma residuals are related to service, including incidents in 1994 and 1995.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and headache disorder are not related to his service-connected PTSD or any other in-service event, injury, or illness. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury with headaches and a back disorder have not been substantiated due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected PTSD, headaches, right shoulder disability/arthritis, left shoulder disability/arthritis, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective from April 1, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in part, including for tension headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, ankle/knee conditions, left side pain, and shoulder conditions were also addressed but not granted.