Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of brain tumor, including headaches and hemangioblastoma, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The appellant's representative has withdrawn all claims on appeal due to the death of the Veteran, and as such, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's post concussive headaches have not manifested in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, thus the claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating as they do not result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. For TDIU prior to July 14, 2010, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not satisfy the threshold criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's migraine headaches with vertigo are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, effective January 30, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating of 50 percent for the period prior to September 25, 2009.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and service connection claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and inflammatory bowel disease (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) continue to meet the criteria for their current disability ratings, but there is a mixed outcome as one condition has been granted an increased rating while the other remains at its maximum schedular rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a hearing loss disability of the left ear as defined by VA regulations and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's lay statements of in-service noise exposure are credible. The heart disorder claim is remanded as new VA examination and opinion are needed to determine if it was incurred during service or due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's intermittent symptomatic migrainous headaches, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate the criteria for such a rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has granted a noncompensable rating for migraine headaches and denied service connection for a sleep disorder. The issues of service connection for other conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and chronic headache disability (migraine) were not incurred during service.,His lumbar spine disability was not shown to be related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for migraine headaches has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim.

The Veteran was granted an initial compensable rating (30%) for migraines prior to May 25, 2011.,An increased initial rating of 20% for lumbar strain has been granted from June 12, 2011 onwards.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and a headache disability were denied as they are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder but granted service connection for migraine headaches with a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines remains pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing a new medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraine headaches, to include as secondary to PTSD, has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and that his claimed headaches, anxiety, and tinnitus are not causally related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and searches for his service records.