Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied, but his claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted. His hypertension rating remains unchanged.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran has current headaches or neck disability, and therefore denies both claims for service connection.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's post-concussive headaches with residual pseudo tumor cerebri, effective from September 24, 2014.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for otitis media and Meniere's disease were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his military service, and the Board found that they are not related to his service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches due to lack of a present diagnosis for hearing loss and insufficient evidence linking his current conditions to service. The claim for left knee patellofemoral syndrome was not addressed as it is part of the remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his headache disability. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's headaches cause less than one prostrating attack every two months, and the Board finds that the criteria for an initial compensable rating are not met. The issue of service connection for a low back condition is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pituitary tumor resulting in headaches, insomnia, and fatigue was reopened and granted.,Service connection was denied for right ear hearing loss and headache disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and to ensure that all pertinent evidence has been considered. The issues of increased ratings for left knee disability, TBI, hypertension, renal disability, and entitlement to TDIU are inextricably intertwined and must be addressed together.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss, fatigue disorder, intestinal condition, hiatal hernia, or psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine and tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current VA regulations. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as he does not have very prostrating and prolonged attacks of headache pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure to Gulf War conditions, and there is no nexus between his current diagnoses and service.

The Veteran's GERD was rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7346. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,For headaches, the VA examiner stated there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's claims of service connection and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and glaucoma are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of ankylosis to warrant a higher rating. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and deviated septum were also remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's headaches are considered part of her service-connected allergic rhinitis and thus she is not entitled to separate service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for a left wrist disability was dismissed as he withdrew his claim.,Service connection for head injury and headaches, including current headaches, is denied due to lack of evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate and remanded for additional development. The Veteran's left elbow disorder, headache disorder, dizziness, and left tympanic perforated ear drum claim need further examination to determine their relationship with service.