Migraines & headaches decisions — 2012

The Veteran's PTSD has resulted in total social and occupational impairment since April 2010, warranting a 100% initial rating.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU, claiming she became disabled due to her service-connected migraines and lupus disabilities in February 2000. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine when the Veteran first became unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches, skin condition, and fatigue/sleep disturbance are not due to an undiagnosed illness or any other service-connected condition. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Office for further action consistent with a Joint Motion for Remand, including consideration of an extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b)(1).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a 100% rating effective January 23, 2007. Service connection was also established for hypertension and diabetes mellitus on the same date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tension headaches, lung disease (shortness of breath), and sinus disease are related to his service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and headache disorder, finding no clear and unmistakable evidence of pre-existing conditions or aggravation during service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic recurrent headaches and denied service connection for memory loss as the evidence does not support a link to military service.

The Board denied service connection for posttraumatic depressive reaction with headaches and dizziness, as the claim was previously denied in July 1975. The Veteran's schizophrenia is not considered to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA treatment records from July 2011 onwards. The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and headaches will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection and increased ratings for various disabilities, including post-traumatic headaches, trauma to the dorsolumbar region with myositis, and cervical spine injuries.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow disorder, migraine headaches, low back disorder, and residuals of venereal disease. The decision also noted that the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral pes planus, left ankle disability, and sleep apnea were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current disabilities related to these conditions as a result of service.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, but denied the claim as there was no medical evidence establishing a direct link between the Veteran's current headaches and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a respiratory disorder, and chronic headaches have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions that are related to service or any in-service stressors. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations, as they were not characterized by prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over several months. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches caused frequent but non-incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether the Veteran's cervical spine, migraine headache, and blurred vision disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar disc disease.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and employment information. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected headaches on his employability.