Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to January 9, 2017, and increased to 50 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding it at least as likely as not that the condition began during active duty service. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's diabetes is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection. The claims for service connection for headache disorder and heart disorder are remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability that would warrant the assigned rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's benign brain growth, including symptoms of headaches, is service connected as it manifested to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a TBI. While his headaches may be related to service, they are not considered residuals of an in-service TBI.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since March 22, 2012. The Board has also granted TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the claimed conditions, or that any such disabilities are causally related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches secondary to PTSD. The Veteran is now entitled to these conditions, but the effective dates need to be determined as part of a separate TDIU claim.

The Veteran's headaches are rated based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once a month, warranting a 30% rating.,There is no evidence linking the loss of smell in the right nostril to service. The examiner concluded that the mechanism of injury would not produce such an outcome.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not result in unemployability.

The Veteran's scar on the right upper arm was granted a 10 percent rating prior to October 19, 2015.,For headaches from January 20, 2008 to April 21, 2010, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating. Since October 19, 2015, he was granted an additional 20 percent for his headaches.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional development and determine the current severity of the Veteran's right ankle disability, TBI residuals, and headache disorder. The claim for service connection is inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cyclical vomiting syndrome, chronic abdominal pain, abdominal migraines, and pancreatitis as due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, but denied claims for a chronic disability manifested by chest pains and a headache disorder. Service connection was also denied for a back disability as the Veteran's current condition is not shown to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 29, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative before the Board could issue a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, and headaches. The Veteran's claims are supported by competent lay evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating. The Board also found that she is entitled to a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his post-traumatic headaches is being remanded due to the need for a new examination to assess all symptoms related to his June 1985 TBI, including headaches and other sequelae.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, but denied his claim for hypertension. The issues of entitlement to service connection for muscle aches, headaches, and coughing are being remanded.