Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ear disability, other than tinnitus, to include serous otitis media was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic ear disability in service. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic headache disability or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining medical opinions to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches and scar on the right forehead.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for nosebleeds, sleep apnea, and migraines. However, the Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident thereof.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at 50% since May 12, 2010. Prior to that date, the criteria for a compensable rating were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions and scheduling a VA examination to assess her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches are rated appropriately, with the PTSD receiving a 70% rating for the entire appeals period. The claims to reopen for rashes due to an undiagnosed illness and hemorrhoids have been granted. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that TDIU benefits are warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for anal fissures and service connection for residuals of TBI, numbness and tingling of the right upper extremity, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and memory problems. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these issues.

The Veteran's right shoulder and knee disabilities were found to be service-connected, while her migraine headaches were not. Accrued benefits for the right knee and right shoulder conditions are granted, but the claim for migraine headaches is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other claims, including those related to cognitive disorder, headaches, seizure disorder, and heart disorder, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran was found to be incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities during the year immediately preceding her June 11, 2009 claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder NOS, is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issues of service connection for urinary tract infections and prostatitis are remanded as the evidence does not provide sufficient information on their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected migraine headaches and to consider his claim for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his service, including witnessing an IED explosion. The claims for traumatic brain injury, vestibular neuronitis, and headaches were denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including gastrointestinal and lower leg disorders, were granted with an initial noncompensable rating. The Veteran's headaches claim resulted in a higher initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and headache disorder are granted service connection as they are related to their active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to legal error in denying an increased rating based on medication effects, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is found to be service-connected. The status of her hysterectomy, gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, migraines, and sleep apnea claims are pending further medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headache disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated as noncompensable, and her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to address the current severity of her service-connected conditions.