Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Veteran died from cocaine and methadone intoxication, but there is no evidence of drug abuse prior to August 13, 1981. The claim for REPS benefits is denied as the Veteran did not meet eligibility criteria.

The Veteran's night sweats and headache disability are found to be related to his service, with no indication of undiagnosed illness or other special provisions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and neurological impairments of both lower extremities, rated at 40 percent combined, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, due to his other nonservice-connected conditions such as diabetes mellitus, asthma, obesity, renal cell carcinoma, coronary artery disease, glaucoma, dementia, sleep behavior disorder, and neck disability with radiculopathy, he is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report for VA examinations and the need to obtain additional service treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines needs further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and adjudication, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of his sinusitis and headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the severity of her migraine headaches and for further consideration of her TDIU claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus and migraine headaches were found to have onset in service, with the Board finding that there was an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence regarding their causes. Service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found that sinusitis, a headache disorder, and a sleep disorder to include sleep apnea were not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been denied as he is not shown to be unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or retaining substantially gainful employment, and his current job as a welder does not qualify as marginal employment.

The Veteran's service-connected vascular headaches render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current headache disability is of service origin and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's recurrent headache disorder is found to have begun during his period of service and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for his right foot fracture was denied. The Board found no evidence of moderate residuals to warrant a higher rating, and the Veteran's right foot is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied service connection for headaches in November 2004, and new evidence submitted since then does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the underlying claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have headaches or a sleep disorder that are attributable to his active military service, nor were they caused or made worse by any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, allergies, hypertension, scar (upper back), right ear hearing loss, and migraine headaches are all rated at the maximum allowed under their respective diagnostic codes. The Board has not found any additional service-connected conditions or issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a right thumb disability, left shoulder disability, testicular disability, diabetes mellitus, or migraine headaches in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's disability rating for his vascular headaches (previously diagnosed as tension headaches) was denied, with the Board finding that the symptoms did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.