Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability, PTSD, and headaches have been granted service connection. The urethral stricture claim is denied as there is no evidence of a current condition or direct service connection. Syncopal episodes are not considered in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to gather outstanding VA and private medical records, as well as Army National Guard reserve records. The claims will be readjudicated after the development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder and a disorder manifested by headaches and nausea are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's timely notice of disagreement was not received by either the RO or the Board within the statutory period, but granted equitable tolling and accepted his December 2008 VA Form 9 as a valid appeal. The claims for service connection were decided on their merits.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his fear of hostile military activity during service in Thailand. Service connection was also granted for diabetes mellitus as it is likely attributable to events during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of whether the Veteran has characteristic prostrating attacks of migraine and the frequency of these attacks, as well as to determine if his medications prevent or only lessen the intensity and duration of a migraine.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for migraine headaches, left knee injury, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle disability, left elbow disability, and right elbow disability were denied. The RO increased the rating for migraine headaches to 30 percent in September 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the issue of service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder. The cases related to bilateral hearing loss and tension headaches are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, including muscle tension and migraine types, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions were aggravated by military service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, headaches, and a urinary disorder as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred during active duty training (ACTDUTRA). The appellant was not considered to have served in active military, naval or air service due to his ACTDUTRA period.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for new VA examinations and additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, increased ratings for his degenerative lumbar spine disease and knee conditions, and an initial compensable evaluation for his mood disorder. The claim for a TDIU effective date prior to June 17, 2009 was also addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's joint pain and headaches are related to his military service, including consideration of undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for lumbosacral disc disease, sinusitis with sinus headaches, left epicondylitis, and a CABG surgical scar of the presternum and upper abdomen were denied. The criteria for higher ratings under VA rating schedules did not meet the requirements.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of PTSD and right ankle strain were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his disorders.