Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an examination to determine the nature and likely etiology of her migraine headaches, including whether they are caused or aggravated by her service-connected cervical strain.

The Board has determined that there is no competent medical evidence linking the Veteran's claimed disabilities to his military service, and thus denied all of his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and encephalalgia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss from January 8, 2002, or for a rating in excess of 30 percent for encephalalgia from June 1, 2004.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, characterized by completely prostrating and prolonged attacks occurring three to four times a month prior to August 11, 2009, have been found to warrant a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal regarding the increased evaluations for tinea versicolor and chronic headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether he is unemployable.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, secondary to service-connected hypertension, from March 2, 2006 was granted.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches, secondary to service-connected hypertension, was set at August 31, 2000.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is evaluated at a 30 percent rating, which reflects occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Veteran has not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's cause of death, a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), is not related to his service or any service-connected disability. The appellant was granted TDIU benefits for accrued purposes based on her husband's pending claim at the time of his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches, and readjudicating the issue on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was granted effective April 10, 2002. The Board found that the evidence did not establish unemployability prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to evaluate the Veteran's cervical spine disability and its neurological manifestations. The claim is being returned to the RO for additional consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for residuals of right thumb injury, finding that his symptoms are related to service. The claims for chronic headaches and right ear infection will be remanded for further development.

The Board found that the February 2002 rating decisions denying service connection for a knee disability and headaches were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The claims of reopening service connection for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran was granted service connection for PTSD and migraine headaches. His PTSD is linked to in-service stressors, while his migraine headaches are found to have been aggravated by active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as aortic atherosclerosis, is caused by his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.,However, there is no medical evidence to support the claim of secondary service connection for migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD and headaches are related to his service, granting both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination, including information on Social Security disability benefits.