Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's claims for PTSD, Chronic Widespread Pain, and Migraine Headaches are still pending.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU prior to April 9, 2014 due to her service-connected disabilities preventing her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain relevant records and provide a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current low back disorder.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including panic disorder with agoraphobia) is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's residuals of a fractured nose to include sinusitis are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify the nature and etiology of his current symptoms, to include recurrent headaches, balance problems, tinnitus, and memory loss.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, migraine headaches, lumbosacral spine strain, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The RO has already granted a 100% rating for coronary artery disease effective October 30, 2014. Other issues remain pending.

The Veteran is granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and a non-compensable rating for migraine headaches. The Veteran's right index finger disability with foreign body warrants a compensable rating of 30 percent, effective June 23, 2014. Service connection for lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic tension headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Codes 8199-8100. The Board finds that her January 2012 VA examination and lay statements demonstrate that her headaches meet the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed skin disability, migraines, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's current sleep apnea is caused by his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, specifically left ankle sprain and patellofemoral pain syndrome of each knee. The headaches are considered secondary to the service-connected PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches, and further development is required.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, right eye conjunctivitis and vision loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, depression, anxiety), and headaches have been granted. The claim for increased rating for right cornea scar has also been granted with a 10% disability rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, memory loss, and a respiratory disorder. The Veteran's service in the Gulf War is considered as the exposure basis.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disability as not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The issue of an earlier effective date for tinnitus is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headache disability, including migraine headaches, is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has ordered additional VA treatment records to be obtained and the claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for migraines, including consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(1), is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher disability rating for his psychiatric disabilities has been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed disability manifested by fatigue, hypertension, or dermatitis/eczema (claimed as skin irritation on the legs and arms). His headaches are service connected as tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected migraines and anxiety disorder with PTSD features. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of joint pain, gout, arthritis, GERD, headaches, or erectile dysfunction related to his military service. The sleep disorder is considered a separate entity and not directly related to PTSD.