Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability was reopened, and service connection is granted. Service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD are also granted with an increased rating of 70 percent for PTSD. The Veteran meets the criteria for total unemployability due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for compensation pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional stomach disorder, fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, and headache disorder as a result of VA medical treatment from statin medications.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a headache disability and a traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's testimony at his hearing before the Board provides additional evidence establishing the incurrence of significant head injuries in service and symptoms that began after these incidents.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of chronic headache disability and tinnitus, as they are not related to his service or any in-service noise exposure. The preponderance of the evidence does not establish a current disability or a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and sleep apnea have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to March 15, 2013. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest possible schedular rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to a personal assault during service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are not found to be directly related to service or his service-connected PTSD.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current headache and seizure disorders are related to service, with doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether these conditions began during or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective October 5, 1990. The Court found that the Veteran misses approximately 10 weeks of work per year due to migraines, warranting a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran does not have a current bilateral hand disability, and his headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8045.

The Veteran's chronic headaches and hypertension are related to his service or a service-connected disability, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, headaches, and hypertension are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. The claims for these conditions are therefore granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA TBI examination to determine the nature and etiology of his head injury residuals, including headaches, blackouts, lightheadedness, dizziness, and vertigo.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury and residuals of a fall to the left side, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to in-service injuries. The claim for hearing loss was also denied as there is no basis for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his IBS was not more than severe in severity and that his left hip residuals did not meet criteria for ankylosis or other compensable limitations.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder and left knee and right knee disorders, finding that the Veteran's headaches did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there was no evidence linking his current condition to service. Service connection was also denied on direct basis for the left knee and right knee disorders due to lack of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and to provide proper notice for his claim of service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches have been rated at 50 percent since September 17, 2012. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, bowel disorder, right eye disorder, deviated septum, skin disorder, tinnitus, right ankle disorder, and right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative bone disease, lung disorder (granulomata of the lungs with COPD), hypertension, heart disorder, headaches, depression as secondary to other medical conditions, flat feet, low back disorder, and bilateral leg disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or any in-service exposure.