Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are not related to her military service, including any claimed exposure to environmental hazards. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at a 30 percent disability rating as of May 30, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's cognitive and neurological abnormalities resulting from an in-service combat head injury, including symptoms such as twitching of the eye, headaches, difficulty hearing, memory problems, and residuals from shrapnel in the head and face, are found to have their onset during service or be related to his service-connected PTSD. Service connection is granted.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Appellant's current condition is related to her service-connected PTSD. Service connection was denied for a bilateral ankle disorder.,Service connection was also granted for TDIU due to the combined effect of the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 2, 2008.

The Veteran's occipital headaches are currently rated as 30 percent disabling, but the evidence does not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. Therefore, a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's claims for chest pain, joint pain, sinusitis, migraine headaches, and a skin disorder are denied as the evidence does not support current diagnoses or etiologies related to service.,The Board previously remanded for examinations but the Veteran did not attend. As such, the claim is denied due to lack of competent medical evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for migraine headaches. The issue of whether she is entitled to service connection for oligomenorrhea due to her in-service menstrual disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches and granted service connection for back disability and gastrointestinal disability, finding that these conditions are related to his military service in the Southwest Asia theater. The gastrointestinal disability is presumed due to service in this area.

The Veteran's disability rating for Traumatic Brain Injury with Headaches was reduced from 40 percent to 10 percent, effective January 1, 2013. The Board found that the reduction was improper and restored the original 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected and non-service-connected disabilities, including hearing loss, lumbar surgery, stomach condition, GERD, migraines, memory loss, and erectile dysfunction. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records, National Guard records, VA treatment records, and a new VA examination.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the Veteran's testimony at his June 2017 hearing, including regarding hand shaking and other TBI residuals. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from a clinician or specialist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions were related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.,The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions were related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not cause him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, as his limitations are due to non-service connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's waiver of recovery of an overpayment of $4,657.84 due to VA error in awarding benefits prior to his separation from service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and there is no evidence that they meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Veteran does not have any other service-connected disabilities that would preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the November 2015 decision, including inadequate discussion of a VA medical examination and potential self-contradictory findings. The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches is now pending with the RO for initial consideration.