Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for left ankle disability, headaches, sinus disability, and bilateral hearing loss remain on hold until further notice.

Service connection granted for right thoracolumbar strain, and an initial evaluation of 20 percent was assigned. Service connection was also granted for a chronic headache disability.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for her headache syndrome with vertigo and migraine headaches was granted prior to March 28, 2012. However, the claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for this condition beginning on that date was denied.

The Veteran's cervicogenic trigeminovascular headaches are manifested by prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a hearing. The issues of service connection for migraine headaches, vertigo, and an ear disability are also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for migraine headaches, chest scars, and shoulder/tendon/knee conditions has been dismissed due to the withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the claims for service connection for bilateral foot disorder and chronic headache disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed low back, neck, right knee, left knee, and headache disabilities are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his TDIU rating based on one service-connected disability qualifies him for a total rating without requiring additional service-connected disabilities to meet the criteria.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities (aseptic meningitis with chronic headaches and major depressive disorder) does not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU, and these conditions have not been shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and hearing loss have been reopened, but the evidence received since the September 2002 rating decision is not sufficient to reopen the claim for hearing loss. The effective dates for service connection remain unchanged.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant records from SSA, providing a VA examination for headaches, neck condition, and PTSD, and determining whether service connection should be granted.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disorder, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred or aggravated by active duty. Service connection for CML due to exposure to ionizing radiation was also denied.

The Board has requested an addendum to the March 2012 VA examination report and a new VA examination if necessary, in order to determine whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The case will be returned for further adjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the severity of his service-connected head injury. Additionally, an initial compensable rating for residual scar from head injury will be addressed in a separate issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a heart disorder, hypertension, or other claimed conditions during service or within one year post-service. Service connection was not granted for any condition.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center on November 4, 2007 is denied as he did not meet any of the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was granted, but the Board found that there was no evidence of more than occasional attacks prior to June 12, 2003. From June 12, 2003, to May 27, 2004, he received a 30% rating for his headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA examination reports. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.