Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating from March 1, 2011. The appeal period prior to January 28, 2011 is not considered as she was employed during that time.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal with respect to all issues pending before the Board, including those related to traumatic brain injury, PTSD, low back strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, scars of the scalp and face, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, post-traumatic headaches, and residuals of a left elbow contusion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and development of his claims, including those related to migraines, tinea versicolor, right thumb disability, keratitis, and a calf muscle injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tension headache disorder and cervical spine disorder are related to his active duty service. The appeal is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of January 25, 2013 for the award of service connection for a left knee disability. The claims for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, and right knee disability have been reopened.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disorder and a headache disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is being remanded due to the need for a new examination as the previous one did not address whether his current headaches are caused by or aggravated by any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disorder is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, but denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back and headache disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year following discharge. The most probative evidence indicates these conditions are more likely due to aging, genetic factors, and wear and tear from strenuous physical activities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examiner to assess etiology of the Veteran's claimed headaches and determine if they are related to service, including environmental exposures during service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and outstanding treatment records, as the current severity of her service-connected hypertension and migraine headaches cannot be determined from the existing evidence.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various lower extremity conditions are all granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip condition and increased rating for anxiety disorder. The claim for service connection was not supported by competent evidence of a current diagnosis, while the claim for an increased rating for anxiety disorder prior to October 19, 2015, did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's headaches are related to his combat service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The ratings for his right arm and abdomen wounds remain unchanged.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under the schedular criteria. The Veteran's IBS is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran seeks service connection for migraine headaches. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to decide this claim and remands it for a new medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the Veteran, through his authorized representative, requesting withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches, DDD of the lumbar spine, and DDD of the cervical spine were denied. The Board found that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 (migraine headaches) or very frequent prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain, chronic fatigue, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, skin disorder, chest/cardiovascular disorder, and headaches have all been denied as not being due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI).