Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not manifested by polyps, warranting a noncompensable rating from December 1, 2010 to February 21, 2013 and a 10 percent rating on and after February 22, 2013.,The Veteran's migraine headaches were not characterized by prostrating attacks prior to September 24, 2012, warranting a noncompensable rating from December 1, 2010 to September 23, 2012 and a 50 percent rating on and after September 24, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, and thus no effective dates can be assigned.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of a migraine headache disability before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claims for service connection for various conditions, including frontal sinus osteoma, head trauma, headaches, chronic sinusitis/rhinitis, GERD, and others. The claim of tinea pedis was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, skin rash, migraine headaches, and left lower extremity disorder were granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss was also granted. A rating of 50 percent was assigned for the period prior to April 17, 2014, and a higher rating is sought.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address whether the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service and if not, whether it was permanently worsened by his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The headaches claim is deferred pending this development.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded to determine if an earlier effective date can be granted on an extraschedular basis. The appeal also includes a request for reconsideration of the August 1990 rating decision regarding service connection for headaches and cervical spine injury.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for service-connected tension headaches.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he contends was caused by his service-connected depressive disorder and migraine headaches. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing these claims.

The Veteran's current headache disorder, including migraine headaches, initially manifested during her period of active service and is therefore considered to be incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for reopening of her service connection claims have been successful, but the Board has not found that any new and material evidence has established a current disability or entitlement to an increased rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion on the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Veteran's mood and anxiety disorder is currently rated at 70 percent disabling, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of reopening his service connection for fatigue, headaches, joint pain and a sleep disorder due to an undiagnosed illness as new and material evidence was not received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. The appeal is granted.

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.