Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Board finds that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his service-connected bilateral eye disability and grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional development of his treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as his representative requested withdrawal of the appeals for the issues of entitlement to compensable ratings for bilateral patellar tendonitis, mechanical low back pain, and tension headaches (claimed as migraine headaches).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disability clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated during active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for migraines and low back disability were denied. The current rating of 10 percent for migraines is maintained, while the initial 20 percent rating for low back disability was granted effective April 24, 2009.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for headaches, pseudofolliculis barbae, and tinnitus. However, these claims were denied as there was no new and material evidence to support them.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and added the Veteran's spouse as a dependent, both effective October 9, 2007. The award of service connection for left upper and lower extremity weakness is effective November 17, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing before the Board. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, PTSD, residuals of TBI, and headaches have been granted. The conditions are found to be directly related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for a neck disorder and migraine headaches due to lack of remaining allegations of error in law or fact. The issues of service connection for left hip disorder, sleep disorder, and hypertension are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for a headache disability and an upper extremity disorder are also granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent effective October 2, 2009.,Prior to November 14, 2012, the Veteran's lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent effective October 2, 2009. As of November 14, 2012, the rating for lumbar strain is decreased to 20 percent.,The Veteran's increased evaluation for migraine headaches was granted with an earlier effective date of October 2, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have headaches, a back disability, or a neck disability that are causally related to his military service or to service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's residuals of an upper back injury and headaches are at least as likely as not related to service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The decision is mixed due to the complexity of the medical opinions provided.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for fatigue and granted service connection for schizophrenia, but denied all other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was granted, with the effective date being May 5, 2011. The current rating of 30 percent is assigned for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board found that the Veteran's TBI is directly related to his service, including exposure to IEDs and other explosive devices during his deployment in Iraq.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left eye injury, finding that the current cataract is as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service left eye injury. The remaining claims are remanded due to insufficient examination reports and need further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches and lumbar disc disease are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hearing loss, headaches, and external otitis were not found to be related to his service. The Veteran did not experience compensable hearing loss at any point during the period on appeal.