Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing pes planus was not exacerbated by his military service and that his headaches, cyst/tumor/growth on his head and neck, and respiratory disorder are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and cervical spine disorder are all found to be service-connected. The headaches have been linked to in-service symptoms, the hypertension is presumed to have manifested within one year of separation from service, and the cervical spine disorder is considered a chronic condition that has persisted since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence, as well as other legal or factual issues.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches with vertigo are productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, resulting in severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's onset of these symptoms occurred during her period of active duty training. Service connection was denied for allergic fungal sinusitis due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from the VA examiner who conducted the November 2014 examination. The examiner must provide a complete rationale for their prior opinion that the claimed condition clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and was not aggravated by in-service events, injuries or illnesses.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The current rating of 30 percent for service-connected allergic rhinitis, status post rhinoseptoplasty with slightly deviated septum and headaches remains unchanged.

The Veteran's headache disorder is found to have had its onset in service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's traumatic brain injury with headaches and light sensitivity is etiologically related to his active service, including a mortar attack in Vietnam where he was knocked unconscious and hit his head on sandbags. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches did not manifest in service or within the first post-service year, and are not etiologically related to service. The Veteran's current headaches were also not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, increased ratings for tension headaches and circadian rhythm sleep disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support reopening of the skin disorder claim due to lack of current diagnosis.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a compensable disability rating of 30 percent, and her DDD of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists has been denied. The issues of memory loss and blackouts, headaches with visual aura due to TBI, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA neurological examination to determine the etiology of any found headache disability and whether it is related to service-connected dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board denies his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability, but finds in favor of service connection for neck disability, headache disability, and disability manifested by numbness of the fingers in both hands due to in-service injury. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected head injury with seizure disorder and headaches were rated at 100% disabling starting March 26, 1998. The Appellant meets the criteria for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as the Veteran had a permanent and total service-connected disability from March 1998 to his death in September 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of her claims, including whether her headaches are completely prostrating.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion to determine if any current sinus condition or headaches are related to in-service facial trauma or a diagnosed sinus condition.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his fear of hostile military or terrorist activity during service, and he has been diagnosed as suffering from this condition. The other claims are remanded for further development.