Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for additional development of records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to new evidence submitted since certification.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and vertigo, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for headaches was denied by the Board, as her headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 8011.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current sarcoidosis is etiologically related to exposure to smoke during active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for depression, stress, and a headache disorder. The veteran's depression was not shown to be related to service, his stress is not a recognized disability entity, and his pre-existing cluster headaches increased in severity during service due to the natural progression of the disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C, a back disorder, chronic liver disease, depression, tension and anxiety, chronic headaches, and nervous system damage. The decision also addressed his claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the veteran's current migraines are a continuation of her service-connected migraines. Service connection for a low back condition is denied as there is no evidence of a present disability.

The veteran's service-connected hypertension, manifested primarily by systolic readings below 160 and diastolic readings of 90 or less, was granted a compensable rating from August 7, 2001 through March 31, 2004.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluation of his service-connected discogenic disease of L5-S1 with lumbar strain was granted, and he is currently receiving a 20% evaluation since November 27, 2007. The issue regarding the psychiatric disorder has been reopened, but no new evidence has been provided to support reopening the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal cannot be adjudicated on the merits at this time due to incomplete medical records and a need for further examination. The case is therefore REMANDED for additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing at the local RO. The case will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The veteran's chronic, frequent headaches have been found to meet the criteria for a 50% evaluation, reflecting severe economic inadaptability.

The Board denied service connection for memory loss and headaches, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's symptoms of headaches, blackout spells, memory loss, dizziness and seizures are related to his service.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for cervical disc disease with headaches, effective from the date of retirement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and epilepsy with associated headaches and nervous spells, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The claim for reopening the epilepsy claim was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for an initial increased rating and earlier effective date for his service-connected traumatic headaches have been granted. He is currently rated at 50% disabling, effective May 31, 1994.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have any current disabilities related to his service, and therefore, he is denied entitlement to service connection for multiple conditions.