Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to verify the Appellant's periods of active duty service and to determine if any hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, sleep problem, or hypertension are related to such service. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's TMJ with closed lock has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent for the entire period on appeal, and her migraine headaches have also been granted a compensable initial rating.

The Board denied service connection for tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's current tension headaches are not related to his period of service or his service-connected rhinosinusitis with headaches.,The Board also denied service connection for hepatitis C, concluding that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current condition to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a diagnosed chronic headache disability at the time of his death, and thus denied his claim for service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches have been rated at 50% since the appeal period began, resolving all doubt in his favor.,The reduction of the rating for loss of stereopsis and visual acuity from 30% to 10% was improper.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to August 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as he does not have a hearing loss disability within the meaning of VA regulations.,For cluster headaches, the Veteran is currently rated noncompensably (0%) because his headaches are short duration and do not result in lost work time.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and loss of part of skull was denied by the Board. The decision found that it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the initiation of the claim, thus no earlier effective date is warranted.

The Veteran withdrew the service connection claim for non-24 sleep circadian rhythm with migraine headaches, photophobia, extreme nausea and vomiting (also claimed as 'sleep disorder-circadian rhythm'). The case is remanded for further development regarding the acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a back disability and granted it. The Veteran's other claims, including those for increased ratings, are remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches, finding that new evidence did not establish a nexus to her in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her migraine headaches was granted, with the effective date set at April 20, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and left knee disability have rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current headache disability related to service or his already service-connected macular scar of the left eye. For the fourth metacarpal fracture, there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or amputation, and the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their permanence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.,The left eye defective vision claim has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, but service connection remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of new evidence submitted following the December 2017 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's chronic headaches are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected anxiety disorder, and if any medication he takes for his anxiety disorder causes or aggravates his headaches.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a TBI during the appeal period and denied service connection for PTSD with a history of adjustment disorder, major depression and alcoholism. The Veteran's headache syndrome was also denied as there were no characteristic prostrating attacks.