Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that further development is required before the Veteran's claims are decided, including obtaining a discharge examination report and any other necessary development. The case will be remanded for de novo review.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches were granted a 30 percent rating effective September 30, 2007.,Beginning January 21, 2010, the Veteran was assigned a 50 percent disability rating for his service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including implementing the Board's decision to increase his PTSD rating and clarifying the impact of all service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) as secondary to a low back disability, and also for migraines as secondary to the same low back disability.,The Veteran's depression is attributed to her service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and found that the Veteran's current cardiovascular, kidney, headache, and psychiatric disabilities are secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's chronic sinus disability with headaches was found to have been incurred during service. The Board granted service connection for this condition. For the issue of cecal intussusception, the Board remanded due to insufficient examination and lack of rationale.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and translating Spanish language documents. The issues of service connection for vertigo and a left shoulder condition are also pending.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are currently evaluated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic adaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's heart disability is not service connected, but his psychiatric disability (depression) may be secondary to his service-connected post-traumatic headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that his statements regarding continuity of symptoms were not credible and that no evidence supported a nexus between his current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing the conditions were incurred in service. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the presence of Spanish-language documents in his file.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for headaches, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's psychotic disorder (NOS, due to in-service head trauma) was granted a 100% rating effective December 15, 2003. The earlier effective date claims for headaches and lumbar strain were denied as the Veteran did not appeal the February 1994 decision.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling medical examinations. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated after this is done.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability and chronic headaches were reopened. However, the claims for back disability (other than the cervical spine) and right shoulder arthralgia were denied as new and material evidence was not received.

The Veteran's depression, sleep disorder, and headaches are found to be related to his service-connected disabilities. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating as they did not meet the criteria for very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.