Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his migraines.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) with coma, including memory loss, headaches, concentration problems, light sensitivity, and depression. The VA examiner will be asked to determine if these conditions are related to the in-service fall from two stories.

The Veteran's service connection claim for multiple myeloma, due to exposure at Camp Lejeune, is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches, specifically whether they are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's hypertensive cardiovascular disease with renal impairment and pacemaker is rated at 100 percent from March 11, 2010. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent since February 14, 2008. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type 2 requires a compensable rating. There are no compensable ratings for impotence, urticaria, or headaches.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues of nonservice-connected pension benefits and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound. The Board is dismissing these claims.

The Veteran does not have a disability manifested by extreme thirst or shortness of breath that is related to service. The Board finds no objective indications of chronic disability for these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal on all issues before the Board.

The Veteran's current tension headaches are not related to service or due to in-service exposure to herbicides.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder due to incomplete development of evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The case is being remanded for additional examinations and assessments to determine the validity of service connection claims, including for TBI, PTSD, and headaches.

The Veteran has been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder, vertigo (dizziness), recurrent headaches due to head injuries, and hypertension. These conditions are all considered service-connected as they are deemed to have originated during his active duty.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including generalized anxiety disorder, vertigo, recurrent headaches, and hypertension.

The Veteran's tension headaches have not been shown to be either a chronic disability or etiologically related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, heat sensitivity, and memory loss as secondary to service-connected sinusitis. The Veteran's claims are supported by medical evidence that links these conditions to his in-service heat stroke.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headache disorder. The Veteran underwent a VA examination in August 2014, but the opinion was based on an inaccurate reporting of facts and is therefore inadequate.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that can be attributed to his military service, including undiagnosed illnesses or exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including schizophrenia and PTSD. The decision is in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for chronic right ankle sprain was denied. However, the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for migraine headaches prior to November 29, 2014, and thereafter, was granted with an effective date of November 29, 2014.

The Veteran's tension headaches with chronic fatigue are rated at 30 percent prior to October 25, 2016 and increased to 50 percent effective from October 25, 2016. The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder with alcohol use is currently rated at 70 percent since August 10, 2011.,The Veteran's tension headaches with chronic fatigue are rated at 30 percent prior to March 3, 2008 and increased to 50 percent effective from March 3, 2008. The Veteran's PTSD and major depressive disorder with alcohol use is currently rated at 70 percent since August 10, 2011.

The Board has granted service connection for the claimed conditions, including muscle and joint aches, headaches, nosebleeds, pre-malignant keratosis on face, arms, and lips, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and fibromyalgia, based on new evidence submitted by the Veteran.