Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's claim of increased evaluation for PTSD is remanded due to worsening symptoms and the need for a new VA examination. The service connection for migraine headaches has been granted, so this issue is not in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a temporary total convalescence period are being remanded due to the need for new examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a residual disability resulting from an in-service traumatic brain injury (TBI), including cognitive or headache disorders, as there is no current evidence of such disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal of the claims for entitlement to service connection for vertigo and headaches has been dismissed due to the withdrawal by the Veteran's attorney.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder and major depressive disorder, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during active service. Service connection was denied for short-term memory loss as it is considered part of his major depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection were properly filed on November 15, 2011. Effective dates of November 15, 2011 have been granted for all disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted secondary service connection as they are proximately due to his service-connected cervical spine disability. However, the acquired psychiatric disorder is denied as it does not meet the criteria for direct or secondary service connection.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, prostate condition, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for fracture of the left zygomatic arch is being remanded due to insufficient opinion from the VA examiner regarding the severity and relationship of the Veteran's symptoms to his service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to pending motions regarding clear and unmistakable error in previous decisions denying service connection for migraines.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his back condition and TDIU claim. His initial increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines/cluster headaches, service connection for a right knee condition, service connection for a right foot condition, service connection for a left foot condition, and entitlement to service connection for a back condition are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including a heart disorder, neck disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, left knee disorder, right broken foot, right foot cellulitis, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's military records indicate he was stationed at Camp LeJeune in 1982, which may be relevant to his heart disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 50% rating for migraine headaches from August 23, 2013 is granted. The claim for reopening of service connection for sleep apnea secondary to service-connected TBI with mood disorder, migraine headaches, or medications taken for service-connected conditions is also granted. The Veteran's low back condition claim is remanded.

The Veteran's tension headaches prior to May 18, 2013 were not manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months. The Veteran’s tension headaches are rated by analogy to Diagnostic Code 8100 for migraines. As the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran's tension headache symptoms approximated the criteria for a compensable rating, his claim for a compensable rating prior to May 18, 2013 was denied.

The Board denied service connection for cervical strain, left shoulder strain, left trapezius strain, degenerative disc disease (DDD), lumbar spine, generalized pain disorder, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD), acute sinusitis, and migraine headaches as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.,The Board found that there was no medical evidence showing a direct link between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's character of discharge was upgraded to under honorable conditions (general), thus removing any bar to VA benefits. The underlying merits of the service connection claims will now be adjudicated.

Service connection for headaches has been granted. The Veteran's tinnitus is already at the maximum schedular rating.,The Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, and effective dates earlier than November 8, 2013, for service connection for tinnitus and hiatal hernia have all been denied. The Veteran has also had his claim for a compensable evaluation for hiatal hernia and residual scars remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure, acquired psychiatric condition (to include bipolar disorder and depression), sleep apnea, and multiple noncompensable disabilities prior to November 8, 2013 have all been remanded.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, depressive disorder, and tension headaches are all found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions. However, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. His TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete service records from his Air Force Reserves.