Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected PTSD, headaches, and left knee disability. The RO will also obtain any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was reopened due to new and material evidence. Service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, cervical spine disability (claimed as neck disability), lumbar disability, sinusitis and/or allergic rhinitis, and migraine headaches. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to issues with the adequacy of VA examinations, including a need for new evaluations for PTSD, TBI, and residuals of TBI. The Veteran's service-connected conditions include PTSD, TBI, bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities, migraines, back condition, mouth condition, and sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of Coronary Artery Disease and granted a rating of 20 percent for scars (pilonidal cysts). The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Coronary Artery Disease. The scars are painful and unstable, warranting a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a benefits payment rate in excess of 60 percent for educational assistance under the Post-9/11 GI Bill is remanded due to uncertainty regarding his National Guard service ending on March 2, 2012. The RO needs to verify whether this period constituted qualifying active duty and ascertain its starting date.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected headaches was denied. The VA examinations and medical records consistently showed that the Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating, as they were not characterized by prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to her failure to attend the previously scheduled VA examinations. The Board will attempt to reschedule the examinations and review the service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of multiple lipoma-like lesions on the chest, arms and back is denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claim for compensable initial rating for migraines is denied as his headaches are not characterized by prostrating attacks.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are incomplete due to unclear dates of his active duty and National Guard/Reserve service, missing service treatment records, and outstanding VA and private treatment records. The claims will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that there is no evidence of fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, or a disability manifested by dizziness and tingling in the extremities due to service. The Veteran's symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board denied compensation benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of a forehead excision performed in January 2010 because the evidence did not show that VA's care caused an additional disability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective April 13, 2014. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, and she is entitled to SMC based on this need. The effective date for her entitlement to housebound status is December 11, 2013.

The Veteran's cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, and headaches are all currently rated. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition, sleep apnea, left knee disability, and right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches, as well as his service-connected sleep disorder. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records and undergo examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and tinea pedis/unguium. The Veteran's eye disability claim was previously denied in 2000 and new evidence does not support reopening this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea with asthma and migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The knee disabilities have not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record and have been denied.