Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a head injury, other than headaches and an eye disability is denied as there are no current disabilities related to the reported in-service injuries. The claims for headaches and back disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, fatigue, and headaches were denied as they are not due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained multisymptom illness. The Board found that the symptoms of fatigue and headaches are already encompassed within his current rating for PTSD.

The Board found that the Veteran's post-concussive headaches do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria, as they did not present with characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months. The appeal was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headache disorder had its onset in service and is related to his in-service headaches, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's headaches were not shown to be incurred or aggravated in service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, migraine headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, depression, and dysthymic disorder). The appeals were not successful as new and material evidence was not provided to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and found that the Veteran's current headaches are related to his service. The Veteran withdrew from consideration his appeals regarding right ear hearing loss and higher initial evaluations for major depression, right ankle disability, back disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disability, including migraine headaches, was not incurred in service or caused by his service-connected dysthymic disorder. The claim for secondary service connection is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration disability benefits documents. The Veteran's claim will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's conditions, including failed craniotomy with skull deformity, headaches, diplopia, and benign positional vertigo, did not have onset in or are otherwise related to his active duty service from March 2003 to March 2004. The pre-existing conditions were aggravated by post-operative complications but not worsened beyond their natural progression.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a neck disability due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has been able to secure and maintain employment in various roles over the past year.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted, and he is now entitled to a noncompensable disability rating. The claims of entitlement to service connection for headaches, rash of the bilateral arms, and colon polyps have also been reopened.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of right little finger disability is denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment.,Service connection for asthma and headaches are not granted, with the asthma being linked to asbestos exposure.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury, including headaches and cognitive impairment. The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including searching morning reports from March 1964 and April 1964 to determine if the Veteran set foot in Vietnam. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current headaches are not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown to be productive of an overall disability picture manifested by the Veteran being precluded from working at substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and occupational background beginning August 12, 2003.