Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for her migraine headache has been granted, but the RO needs to schedule a new examination and obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to November 1, 2010, for tinnitus and a compensable rating for hypertension. The claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as there was no current diagnosis. The claim of left ear hearing loss was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The claims of headaches were also not reopened.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar disability with sciatica, hypertension, and migraine headaches are being remanded to allow for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's prostrating headaches, lasting several hours multiple times per week and causing severe economic inadaptability, are rated at the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for tinnitus based on CUE, as well as claims for service connection for a respiratory condition, TBI residuals, and a headache disorder. The Board has decided to remand these issues for further development.

The Veteran's headaches associated with tinnitus are rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection in February 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a seizure disorder. The claim for service connection for a seizure disorder is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor are they presumed to be related to his period of service in the Persian Gulf. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and chronic kidney disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing onset during or soon after service, nor was there any competent medical evidence linking these conditions to events in service.

The Veteran's claim for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches was denied. The Board found that a 30 percent disability rating is warranted for the period from April 24, 2008 to February 3, 2015.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches and blackouts has been granted. The issue of a TDIU prior to March 25, 2010, is referred to the Chief Benefits Director or the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for consideration on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 6, 2009 for service connection of migraine headaches, lumbar spine strain due to scoliosis, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome as these awards became final after a February 2001 rating decision on merits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks that are capable of producing severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's tension headaches were incurred in service and the Board finds that reasonable doubt should be resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's PTSD, TBI, and headaches have been found to not warrant an increased rating or service connection. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, headaches, and nosebleeds as the evidence did not show a current disability or a nexus to military service.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability, including depression.,Service connection for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is denied as the condition was not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis and entitlement to a TDIU are being considered.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches did not manifest during her active duty service and are not otherwise related to military service.