Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to her service-connected psychiatric disability, specifically posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with persistent depressive disorder. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board finds that he has a current respiratory disorder due to his longstanding smoking history. The appeal for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal was granted for PTSD, cold injury residuals of the right and left feet, shell fragment wound scars, arthritis, and TDIU. The Veteran is currently rated at 70% combined disability rating due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are frequent, completely prostrating, prolonged, and productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board has therefore granted a maximum schedular initial rating of 50% for the entire period on appeal.

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

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder, left hand tingling and numbness, and headache disorder. The reasons are provided in the decision.

The Veteran's post-traumatic migraines have been productive of severe economic inadaptability since June 16, 2008, warranting a 50 percent evaluation effective that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including headaches, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right knee disability, were not incurred or aggravated during his active service. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various psychiatric, headache, insomnia and fatigue conditions. The Board finds that further examination is needed to address the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the cause of the Veteran's headaches and neurological symptoms, including a review of VA treatment records and consideration of his history of headaches since service.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at the highest schedular rating of 50 percent, and she is granted TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the RO has granted a compensable rating for headaches associated with cervical strain and service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left foot.

The Veteran's current headache disability is not causally or etiologically related to service, including the in-service car accident that resulted in a left zygoma fracture with nerve damage. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support service connection for residuals of a head injury, to include headaches.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions, including IBS and anxiety disorder. The RO granted service connection for IBS but denied all other claims. A new examination is needed to assess the current severity of IBS and determine the relationship between the Veteran's claimed disabilities and his military service.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for residuals of a left shoulder injury, bilateral ankle disability, and headaches. However, further development is needed to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be addressed again after this development is completed.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the claims for service connection for joint pain, a skin condition, headaches, and sleep disturbance. As such, the Board must dismiss these matters.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for asthma, headaches, left foot plantar fasciitis, and epilepsy have been granted. The specific rating changes are as follows: asthma to 30 percent; headaches from 10 to a higher level; left foot plantar fasciitis to a higher level; and epilepsy to a higher level.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the inadequacy of prior VA examination and opinion regarding service connection for residuals of TBI, including a headache disorder. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for migraine headaches and upper back condition due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. However, the claims are denied on their merits as there is no current diagnosis of migraine headaches.