Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic bronchitis was denied. The VA determined that the Veteran's FEV1 and FEV1/FVC were within the range of 56 to 70 percent predicted, warranting a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeal for the issues of entitlement to a compensable initial rating for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and clarification of intent regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing an opinion regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's fibromyalgia warranted a 40% evaluation from August 19, 2013 onwards. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, skin disorder (eczema), and migraine headaches were granted, while the claim for endometriosis was also granted.

The Veteran has experienced continuous symptoms of a headache disorder since service, and the Board finds that the criteria for presumptive service connection have been met.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for bilateral knee disability, bruxism (TMJ), migraine/headaches, tinnitus, and a gastrointestinal (GI) disability as they are related to his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The RO denied service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, right and left knee arthralgia, right and left wrist pain, sinusitis, and residuals of fracture, right leg based on findings that no current disability was shown.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for asthma, allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches. The AOJ is required to verify the Veteran's Reserve service including periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA in 1998, 1999, and 2008, consider theories of service connection based on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA, obtain VA treatment records, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's tension type headaches do not warrant a compensable rating, and his residual scar, head injury does not warrant a rating in excess of ten percent.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's headaches and gastrointestinal disorders, including constipation and reflux.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and a gastrointestinal disability, both of which are deemed to be the result of undiagnosed illnesses due to service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to an inability to contact him for the scheduled video conference hearing. The claim will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records, conduct VA examinations, and ensure all development actions have been completed.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including upper cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and several psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to address these issues due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and schedule him for VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities and the etiology of his headache condition.

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, with symptoms such as near-constant anxiety, episodic depression, sleep impairment, irritability, intrusive thoughts, concentration problems, mild memory impairment, panic attacks, and difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships. The Veteran is granted a 50 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative changes including disc protrusion and myositis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, dermatitis and tinea versicolor (previously shown as pityriasis versicolor), and arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to July 25, 2010, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, for depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed headache disorder and left ear hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches, right wrist disability, and stress incontinence all had onset during active service. The Veteran is therefore granted service connection for these conditions.