Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's migraine headaches were permanently aggravated beyond their natural progression as a result of his service in Iraq. Therefore, the Board grants service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied the other two issues on appeal. The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a reported incident of military sexual trauma (MST) during service.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues currently under appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and migraine headaches, as well as his attempts to reopen service connection claims for various conditions, are denied.

The Board granted the Veteran an initial compensable disability rating for his tinea pedis, denied increased ratings for his pes planus and headaches, but granted a higher rating (70%) for his PTSD effective from March 24, 2004. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were also established.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for asthma, migraine headaches, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, and TMJ syndrome. Service connection is granted for all conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine and tension headaches are related to his military service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses is denied because the emergency room visit on July 11, 2010, did not meet the criteria for an emergency medical condition manifesting itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches and hearing loss, finding no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately following service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, headaches, and bruxism (teeth grinding) as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.,There is no evidence of a nexus between any current disability and service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and osteochondritis (chest pain) disabilities are all rated at the maximum schedular ratings. However, due to marked interference with employment, the Board has granted extraschedular evaluations for these conditions.,Separate extraschedular ratings of greater than 50 percent for migraine headaches, greater than 60 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and greater than 10 percent for osteochondritis (chest pain) are granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability of the left foot, right arm disability, left wrist disability, stomach disability (to include GERD), and headache. The Board also denied reopening the claim for a stomach disability due to lack of new or material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for new examinations as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims of increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability, including chronic headaches and migraines. The evidence shows that his current headaches are not related to service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at a 50 percent disability rating since September 19, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected nasal cavity injury and its residuals, including any additional conditions he may have developed. The VA will schedule him for a new examination to determine the current extent of his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's chronic diarrhea with malabsorption and anemia warrants a rating of 60 percent, but no higher, under DC 7323.,Prior to July 20, 2010, the Veteran's tension headaches warranted a noncompensable rating. From July 20, 2010 forward, they warrant a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for migraine headaches, which she contends are related to an in-service softball injury. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the issue of whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are secondary to her service-connected cervical spine condition and/or traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for cervical spine disability and headaches, which he attributes to an in-service injury. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the nature and likely etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a chronic cervical spine disorder or headaches that are etiologically related to service, but finds that these conditions may be secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder.