Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims due to inadequate November 2009 VA examinations and medical opinions. The Veteran's cervical spine, left thigh/groin, and headache disabilities need to be re-evaluated with consideration of all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) disability records. The issues of an increased rating for PTSD prior to May 20, 2011 and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sexual dysfunction, headaches, fatigue, back pain, bilateral hip disabilities, knee disabilities, shoulder disabilities, elbow disabilities, and left ankle disability. The appeals were reopened on new evidence but the claims were ultimately denied.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to August 29, 2006 is being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain additional evidence and clarify whether the Veteran is receiving Social Security disability benefits based on his dental/mouth/jaw condition or headache disorder. The claims for reopening service connection for a dental/mouth/jaw condition and a headache disorder will be adjudicated again.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches or a left knee disability, as her current conditions are not causally related to active military service.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, review of new evidence, and compliance with procedural requirements.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding all issues, including service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and claims to reopen service connection for muscle pain and cramps, sinus infection, fatigue, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran did not incur any of the claimed conditions during active service or within one year thereafter. Symptoms of blood infection, lesions, tumors, neck disability, headaches, and right ankle/foot disability have not been unremitting since separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her request for a Board hearing at the local RO. The claim will be returned to the Board after the hearing.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 60%, which does not meet the percentage requirements for a TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, he has not met the criteria for an extraschedular TDIU as set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.321.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a current diagnosis of PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder related to active military service.,Service connection was granted for post-fracture status, left supraorbital ridge with headaches, and assigned a 40% rating effective from March 6, 2008. A separate 30% rating was granted for the Veteran's headache disability related to this condition, and a 10% rating was granted for loss of the left supraorbital sensory nerve secondary to the post-fracture status.

The Veteran's headaches are not considered to be related to service, including a claimed inservice concussion. The Board found the evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is linked to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her migraines, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and secondary service connection for depression as related to the Veteran's chronic headaches.

The Board is remanding the claims to obtain Social Security Administration records and any ongoing VA medical treatment records for consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder disability and migraine headaches to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), or peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's representative indicated that his vascular dementia claim was resolved, so this issue is no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's migraines have resulted in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.