Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's statements regarding in-service onset and continuity of symptomatology are credible. The Board also found present manifestations of migraine headaches documented in post-service medical records.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee condition and remanded the claims of urticaria (claimed as skin condition) and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's use of Menthol/M Salicylate topical cream for arthritis pain is not eligible for a clothing allowance as it was not prescribed for a skin condition due to any service-connected disability.,The Veteran’s back brace, which she uses for her service-connected DDD of the low back, does not qualify for a clothing allowance because it is made of soft material and does not cause wear or tear on clothing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and/or insomnia disorder is reopened. The case is remanded due to the need for a supplemental VA opinion regarding the etiology of his headaches.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was denied as not related to service, and his headaches were also denied a higher initial rating prior to October 2, 2015.,After October 2, 2015, the Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted a 50% rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches, finding that they have manifested with very frequent and characteristic prostrating attacks capable of producing severe economic inadaptability during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches are rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The issue of service connection for other conditions remains remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury to include headaches and remanded the issue of an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's initial and subsequent ratings for MDD, TBI residuals, and chronic posttraumatic headaches were denied. The Veteran was not granted a higher rating than the assigned levels.

The Board has vacated its May 16, 2018 decision and remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches are caused and aggravated by her service-connected anxiety disorder. The appeal for service connection for other conditions is still pending.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of April 26, 2016 for a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches is denied. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for headaches, a higher rating for PTSD, and the effective date of the PTSD award. The VA is instructed to obtain SSA records related to the Veteran's disability claims.

The Veteran's TBI, acquired psychiatric disability, and headache disability are all found to have begun during service. However, the diabetes mellitus is not related to service.

Service connection for a laceration scar on the right side of the forehead, to include numbness is granted.,A compensable rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for a laceration scar, mid forehead above the left eyebrow with retained foreign body is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for sinusitis and gastrointestinal disability (including gastroenteritis). However, it has granted service connection for a migraine disability and an acquired psychiatric disability (including major depressive disorder).,Service connection is also being remanded for hypertension.

PTSD service connection is granted. ED, headaches, hypertension, and sleep apnea service connection issues are remanded for further review.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions and granted a 70% rating for PTSD with TBI effective from November 24, 2014. The issues related to left knee ACL tear, right ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, mitral valve regurgitation, kidney problems, and headaches were dismissed.

The Board denied the claim for service connection of migraine headaches as there is no evidence that the condition began during service, was manifested within one year after discharge, or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for a right foot condition was denied as new and material evidence was not received.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim for service connection for headaches, secondary to service-connected hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, was granted.