Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent since April 26, 2011 and TDIU is granted from that date to January 15, 2016. The maxillary transverse discrepancy, depressive disorder with insomnia, and mitral valve prolapse disabilities have not been evaluated yet.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The claims of vision loss, right ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, headaches, hearing loss, sleep apnea, Gulf War syndrome, deviated septum, and cystitis are dismissed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for TBI, headaches, loss of sight, and sleep disorder. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his 2005 injury in service, but due to the dishonorable characterization of service for this period, they cannot be considered as incurred or aggravated therein.

The Veteran's appeals regarding hypertension, migraine headaches, heart disability, and low back condition were dismissed as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Board has found that the Veteran's headaches and GERD are service-connected. However, there is insufficient evidence to support a finding of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder or a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is caused by her service-connected DDD of the lumbar spine and hallux valgus deformity. Her headaches are caused by her service-connected asthma. For the period from February 17, 2006 to April 13, 2016, she exhibited symptoms consistent with mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for left lower extremity sciatica and for right lower extremity sciatica. For the period from April 14, 2016 forward, she exhibited symptoms consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for left lower extremity sciatica. For the period from July 6, 2016 forward, she exhibited symptoms consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve for right lower extremity sciatica.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine condition and headaches are granted, finding that there is at least as much evidence to support these claims as against them.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic cluster headaches are manifested by mild to severe headaches lasting for under one hour. Although frequent, the headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they are not completely prostrating and prolonged or productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection claims, including exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for pituitary gland disorder, headache disorders, and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted. The Veteran is also granted a temporary 100 percent rating for PTSD from July 27, 2009 to September 30, 2009, and TDIU effective April 4, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected posttraumatic headaches, as well as whether he has tinnitus related to these headaches. The VA examiner will also assess how service-connected headaches impact his work capacity.

The Veteran's right knee disability, back disability, and migraines are found to be related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and a statement of the case on his claim for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's initial effective date for a 50 percent rating for his service-connected headache disability is August 29, 2007. The Board finds that an earlier effective date prior to this date is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied. The claims for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder were reopened, but denied on the merits.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, as residuals of a traumatic brain injury, was granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he requested to withdraw the appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's joint and muscle pain, headaches, and GERD with dysphagia are related to his service in the Southwest Asia Theater during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's service-connected uterine leiomyoma, eczema, and headaches have been rated based on their respective criteria. The initial ratings for the conditions are granted.

The Veteran's fatigue and headaches are found to be related to his in-service exposure to styrene, which is not a presumptive condition. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied, with the exception of a granted 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.