Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current headache disorder did not originate in service, was not manifest within one year of discharge from service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for headaches was denied.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, acid reflux, and sleep apnea as they are not related to service or the service-connected PTSD. The current conditions are attributed to rhinosinusitis.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for higher ratings for cluster headaches/migraines and GERD was denied. However, the RO granted a 30 percent rating for GERD effective October 26, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood is rated at the highest available schedular rating, which is 50 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for tuberculosis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim. The issue of service connection for hives was granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the issues can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent since November 27, 2007.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated as 30 percent disabling, effective September 2, 2011.,The Veteran did not pursue an appeal regarding the issue of service connection for shortness of breath.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches has been increased to 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The issue of TDIU remains pending and will be readjudicated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left ear hearing loss, a back disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity numbness, chronic migraines, anxiety and depressive disorders, and bilateral hip and knee disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, chronic sinusitis and headaches, right knee disorder, or left knee disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of migraines is related to his military service, particularly his second period from December 1990 to June 1991. The decision grants service connection for the Veteran's headache disorder.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraines including migraine variants effective from June 23, 2015. The Veteran's claim was not pending prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral ankle disorder, skin disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory loss, and headaches have been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish that the Veteran has any of these conditions resulting from an undiagnosed illness or in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's vertigo and migraine headaches were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board denied the claims for service connection as well as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent prior to June 20, 2016. From June 20, 2016, the rating was increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent rating for his service-connected headaches, effective from the date of the decision. He is also granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected headaches. The claim for reopening of the thoracolumbar spine disability claim has been granted.