Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Posttraumatic Mixed Headache and Cognitive Disorder due to mild traumatic brain injury were denied by the RO in October 2008. The Veteran is seeking further review of these decisions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, chronic gynecological disability (pelvic pain and abnormal menses), acne, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to her active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied as there is no evidence of a claim or entitlement prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches did not have their clinical onset in service and are not otherwise related to active duty. The Board also concluded that the Veteran's headaches are not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's TBI residuals, including headaches and light-headedness, are rated at 40 percent effective June 21, 2012. His left ankle tendonitis is not service-connected. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent evaluation for GERD from March 26, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, as secondary to his service-connected mixed anxiety-depressive disorder, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current psychiatric disorder, and there is no evidence of muscle pain, joint pain, memory loss, sleep disorder or chronic fatigue related to his military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to attempt to locate a police report from the motor vehicle accident of May 15, 1982. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination, including medical opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, which is secondary to his service-connected panic disorder with agoraphobia and comorbid depression, has been remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn for the issue of service connection for asbestosis. The Board found that a compensable disability rating (10%) is warranted for his right forehead scar, but denied entitlement to higher ratings for PTSD and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, and it is at least as likely as not that his obstructive sleep apnea began during active military service. The Veteran's PTSD and tension headaches are rated based on their impact on daily life.

The appellant is seeking an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU based on SSA disability benefits. The Board has determined that relevant SSA records need to be obtained and considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling addendum opinions from a VA examiner, and scheduling a VA examination to determine if any hip disability is related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for service connection due to withdrawal of those issues by the Veteran prior to decision. The Board granted service connection for headaches and a disability manifested by shortness of breath, finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches did not result in characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the previous several months for the period prior to June 23, 2008. For the period from June 23, 2009 until July 27, 2012, the Veteran's headaches did not result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches, low back disability, bilateral knee disabilities, acid reflux, and sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions in the February 2011 decision. The dental claim is also being remanded for additional VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the failure to appear for a scheduled hearing and no specific error of fact or law was alleged.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted as the Board finds that his migraines are related to his military service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.