Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI and related symptoms is being remanded due to the need to obtain ship deck logs, VA outpatient records since July 2008, and additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available. The Board found no additional functional impairment warranting an extra-schedular evaluation. For her service connection claim for memory loss, a VA examination was ordered to assess the existence and etiology of any such disability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected sinusitis is rated as noncompensable. The appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is pending, as the issue has not been adjudicated yet.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability evaluation for gastritis is pending, as the issue has not been adjudicated yet.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches, bilateral otitis externa, and malignant hypertension with hypertensive vascular disease were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted higher ratings.

The Veteran does not have a bilateral ankle disability, endometriosis, headaches, or lumbar spine disability that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during active service. The Board finds no evidence to support these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and other conditions are not related to his service, including any potential nerve gas exposure in Iraq. The claims for service connection were denied.

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining the Veteran's VA vocational rehabilitation folder and verifying her periods of INACDUTRA/ACDUTRA. A new VA examination is also needed to evaluate the severity of her migraines and determine if any current leg disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development of the record, including a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of his headaches and the current severity of his right eye disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for residuals of nasal fracture and deviated septum require additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left knee and right ankle, migraine headaches, and nerve damage to the left eye. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraines and low back disorder are not service-connected, as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of nephrolithiasis (kidney stones) was denied, but he received a noncompensable rating for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran's special separation benefits in the amount of $23,549.76 are properly recouped from his VA disability compensation due to the statutory requirement.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been granted an initial noncompensable evaluation, which has now been increased to a compensable 30 percent effective September 17, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 2010 is being remanded by the Board. The RO should schedule a videoconference hearing and then return the case to the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected conditions, as well as their impact on employment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to March 4, 2009. The Board found that the condition did not warrant a higher rating based on the frequency and severity of her attacks.