Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete or missing opinions in the Veteran's claims file, and for further examination of his sleep disorder and ability to work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service connection for headaches, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, bilateral leg neuropathy, a left ankle disability, hearing loss, or tinnitus due to his service. The evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased ratings related to PTSD, TBI with chronic headaches, and lumbosacral strain. The Board finds that the withdrawal is valid.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the current manifestations and severity of her service-connected encephalitis residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is moot due to a grant of service connection by the AMC in November 2011. The claims for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of an injury to the back of the head with headaches are being remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a hearing issue and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.

The evidence shows that the Veteran's migraine headaches were equivalent to characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over several months, but did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. Therefore, the initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches prior to April 6, 2012 is denied.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as of May 2, 2012 due to his service-connected disabilities. The right knee disability and mood disorder with migraine headaches preclude him from obtaining substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, as it is secondary to a pre-existing low back disability.,Hearing loss and hypertension are not service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected cluster headaches are not shown to meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his attacks do not occur on an average once per month over the last several months. The Board finds that he has characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months.

Service connection for headaches was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,New and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for bilateral hearing loss, but service connection remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent, and his TBI-related migraine headaches have also been rated appropriately. Both conditions are considered to be service-connected based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected fracture of the left medial malleolus was denied. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support an award of TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, as they do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more thorough examination, including evaluation of all symptoms related to his service-connected posttraumatic headaches and other reported conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are characterized by frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% rating. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen her claim of service connection for migraine headaches, finding that no new and material evidence had been received.

The Veteran's service-connected renal cell carcinoma is granted, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed migraine headaches and thyroid condition were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.