Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Army Reserve records and updated VA treatment records. He also needs to be examined for his left foot and elbow disorders, as well as his headaches and sinus disorder.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for migraine headaches and status post viral syndrome, as well as a rating in excess of 60 percent for status post viral syndrome since January 9, 2012, were denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and they are not the result of or aggravated by a service-connected disability. The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's headaches were not likely related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected tension headaches and entitlement to total disability rating due to individual unemployability as a result of service-connected disabilities. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including excessive alcohol consumption and several unspecified disorders. The decision concluded that there was no clear and unmistakable error in the original denial.

The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as they have not resulted in characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once per month over the last several months.,The Veteran's thoracic back fracture residuals and chronic low back strain disabilities are both currently rated at 10 percent. The VA examinations did not show any increased severity of symptoms or manifestations, and there is no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent effective June 13, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, chronic headaches, and TDIU are still pending. The psychiatric claim is in progress with a reopened status due to new evidence submitted since the last denial. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the chronic headaches claim remains in progress. The TDIU claim is also in progress.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened, but the claims for hypertension and ED remain denied.,Service connection for headaches is not granted as there is no evidence of a chronic illness during or after service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease with headaches, is not related to his service. The VA examiner opined that the condition was more likely due to age-related changes rather than an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete opinions from VA examiners regarding the Veteran's headaches and gastrointestinal disability.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including hepatitis C and its secondary effects. The Board has scheduled a videoconference hearing to address these claims.

The Board has determined that a new examination and opinion are needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury due to inadequate previous medical opinions. The appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for rescheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any currently diagnosed residuals of an abortion, including headaches and childlessness. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for an examination to determine if TDIU benefits are warranted. The Veteran's attorney submitted new evidence after the July 2011 Board decision.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and other relevant medical evidence. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated after the completion of this development.

The Board found no indication of fault, carelessness, or negligence in the March 2009 surgery. The Veteran's additional disabilities are considered to be unrelated to the VA treatment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for syringomyelia with migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a total spine MRI.