Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right ankle disability, anxiety disorder, and low back disability are all related to his service-connected right ankle condition. The skin condition is linked to his anxiety disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma and sleep apnea, and reopened the claims for migraine headaches and a skin disability. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, neck disorder, and back disorder. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service, thus resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for cervical spine degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbar spine degenerative joint and disc disease, and headaches. However, there is no evidence linking a bilateral leg disorder to service.

The Veteran's headaches did not result in very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks causing severe economic inadaptability from August 9, 1972 to October 16, 2011. Therefore, the claim for an initial rating higher than 30 percent is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities and verify any exposure to herbicides or other chemicals during service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, warranting a 70 percent rating prior to September 28, 2014. His Headache Disability was rated at 50 percent after December 18, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin disability, but denied the remaining issues on appeal. The Veteran's skin disability is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic brain syndrome associated with trauma (dementia and headaches), skull defect, status post craniectomy, and seizures, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis had their onset in service, and the Board has found that these conditions are service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension did not have onset during active service, was not etiologically related to his active service, and is therefore denied.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent since June 7, 2010 and the right knee disability is not compensable.,TDIU was granted effective October 26, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury due to inadequate medical evidence and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's headaches, rated at 30 percent disabling, are now rated as 50 percent disabling due to very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The pseudofolliculitis barbae was rated as noncompensable prior to May 6, 2015, and as 10 percent disabling from that date. The bronchitis was rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus and related symptoms, including vertigo and hearing loss, are found to be related to her service, with the Board granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent since June 1, 2007 and higher than 30 percent beginning on September 10, 2014.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder and anxiety disorder, is service-connected. The headaches are rated at 50% effective March 9, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right hand hypothenar numbness, GERD with H. pylori syndrome, and migraine headaches are not supported by the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches did not onset in service and are not etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection for headaches was denied.