Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Veteran's seizure disorder is rated at 40 percent since July 30, 2012.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 50 percent.

The Board found that the appellant's discharge from active service was not dishonorable due to his insanity at the time of offenses, thus denying a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has scheduled the Veteran for a video conference hearing, but there is uncertainty about whether she received notice of the hearing. The appeal will be remanded to schedule this hearing.

The Veteran's appeal of the issue of entitlement to service connection for deep venous thrombosis has been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability did not have its onset during service or within a year of service separation, and is less likely than not related to any disease, injury, or incident therein.,Similarly, the Board determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during service or within a year after service separation, and was less likely than not caused by any in-service disease, injury, or event.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraine headaches, diabetes mellitus, diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and tinnitus, are found to be of such severity as to preclude his participation in any substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient opinions in previous VA examinations and the need to consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current headaches and major depressive disorder, which are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his headaches, dizziness, and low back disability. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches and CLL are not related to his service-connected tinnitus or exposure at Camp Lejeune, respectively. The claim for increased rating of bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disorder was denied as there is no diagnosed kidney disorder at any time during the period on appeal. The Board finds that additional development is required to determine whether the Veteran has a separately diagnosed cognitive disorder and, if so, whether it is possible to differentiate the Veteran's symptoms of his dysthymic disorder from those of his cognitive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines, depression, hypertension, gout, and hepatitis C are related to his active duty service. The Veteran's PTSD is not supported by evidence of record.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for left and right knee degenerative joint disease.,The Veteran is also seeking increased ratings for his depression, bilateral hip disabilities, and hypertension.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent, effective March 5, 2012. Service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, migraines, back injury, and residuals of left ankle/foot injury have also been established.

The Veteran's IBS was granted service connection effective January 22, 2015. The claim for migraine headaches is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not show that his migraines were very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension with hyperkalemia, headaches, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's right knee condition and left knee condition are not considered incurred in or aggravated by service. Service connection for head injury is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective before February 7, 2015, and at 10 percent from that date. The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain with intermittent right leg paresthesias is currently rated as 40 percent disabling.

The Veteran's shin splints, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, muscle strain, and residuals of a right calf muscle injury are not related to his active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses for the other claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's PTSD disability rating from 50 percent to 10 percent effective April 1, 2012 was improper due to an incomplete VA examination and lack of sustained improvement in his condition.