Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and impaired vision were denied as the evidence did not show a relationship to service. The Board found that any current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical opinions and further development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent since May 15, 2009. The Veteran has not met the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation and earlier effective date for service connection of migraine headaches associated with his TBI were both granted. The Veteran is now rated at 50% for these headaches, which are characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's increased disability rating claim for tinea versicolor was withdrawn.,Effective from April 5, 2011, the Veteran is granted a 50 percent disability rating for headaches.

The Veteran's initial ratings for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, and cervical muscle strain were granted. The remaining claims were denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened and granted effective December 4, 2003. The Board also granted an initial rating of 70 percent disabling for PTSD as of December 4, 2003. The Veteran is in receipt of a total rating based on his PTSD alone, as well as additional service-connected disabilities ratable at least 60 percent, separate and distinct from PTSD and involving different anatomical segments or bodily systems.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 19, 2009 for the award of service connection for PTSD as comorbid with the service-connected TBI. The Veteran's initial claim was filed on July 15, 2009, within one year of his separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's facial scarring, headaches, and sinus condition resulted from his own willful misconduct during service. As such, these conditions are not considered to have occurred in the line of duty.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be proximately due to his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum 50% disability rating. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including bipolar disorder, is reopened and new evidence supports a finding that his current psychiatric condition more likely than not began in military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, including hypertension, a deviated nasal septum, meralgia paresthetica, and posttraumatic migraine headaches. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed migraine headaches, including photophobia, and sleep apnea are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete record. The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, anxiety and depression, and TDIU are inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied, while he was awarded TDIU. The depression claim was reopened based on new evidence suggesting a possible secondary relationship to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant higher initial ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for a video conference hearing and will not make a determination on the merits of the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of her sleep apnea and headache disorder, as well as the relationship between her service-connected septal deviation status post rhinoplasty.

The Veteran's headaches, residuals of head injury, are manifested by prostrating attacks like those characteristic of migraine less frequently than averaging one prostrating attack every two months over several months during any interval over the claim period. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of migraine headaches was granted. The earliest effective date is March 11, 1983.