Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's migraine headaches are related to her service-connected SLE, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. However, there is no evidence of anemia for VA purposes during the pendency of this appeal, so service connection for anemia was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right knee disorder, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep disorder are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing and clarifying whether the Veteran wishes to withdraw any pending claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD) of the Cervical Spine and Headaches, with headaches secondary to cervical spine DDD.,Service connection is granted for Degenerative Disc Disease of the Cervical Spine and Headaches, with headaches secondary to cervical spine DDD.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches and bilateral high frequency hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of the date of his May 22, 2012 claim for an increased rating.,PTSD is rated at 70 percent from April 30, 2014.

The Veteran's PTSD, bilateral hearing loss (prior to July 9, 2013), CAD, left calf scar and shell fragment wound residuals, left lower extremity lateral plantar sensory terminal latency, right thigh meralgia paresthetica, headache disability, and low back pain have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's headaches did not have their onset during active service and are not otherwise related to active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence weighs against the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, reflecting very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, ED, hip disabilities, prostate disorder, inguinal hernia, headaches, hypertension, hoarseness, heart disease, and GERD. The decisions are based on secondary service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability as secondary to PTSD, and remanded the remaining issues due to need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a urinary tract infection and headaches are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an increased rating for TBI was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss disability or a causal relationship between in-service noise exposure and current hearing loss. For TBI, the most recent VA examination showed normal hearing and no significant cognitive impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and fatigue are being remanded due to incomplete records, conflicting information regarding his military service, and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a back disorder with a pinched nerve, finding no current diagnosis of headaches related to active duty service.

The Veteran withdrew his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for service-connected headaches, also claimed as migraines.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, including IBS and colitis, was denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current GI conditions to his military service or any exposure therein. For migraine headaches, the Veteran received a maximum 50 percent rating since February 23, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at 30 percent, and his TBI residuals other than headaches, double vision (diplopia) and impairment of visual acuity are rated at 10 percent.,Both conditions have not been shown to warrant higher ratings based on the frequency or severity of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and fatigue, finding that there was no current diagnosis of a mental health condition or chronic multisymptom illness. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to known clinical diagnoses such as sinusitis and sleep apnea.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 40 percent for hypertension (HTN) from August 25, 2014. The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, nasal polyps, a heart disorder, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and MDD have been denied. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety disorder, and MDD) and for a respiratory disorder (including sleep apnea).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left elbow, right elbow, and right knee disabilities are related to his military service.