Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD and a headache disorder were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and chronic headaches and his military service, and denied both claims.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus. Headaches are found to be related to active service exposure. Bilateral hearing loss disability is found to be related to acoustic trauma during active service. Tinnitus is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine the nature and cause of his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches did not have their clinical onset in service and are not otherwise related to any period of active duty or reserve service.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's low back disability was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the severity of his migraine headaches, service connection for residuals of a stroke, and psychiatric disorders.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for headaches, as the claimed condition did not manifest within one year after separation from active duty and there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment for the period from November 21, 2006 to August 16, 2008.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain vocational rehabilitation records and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for depression, subdural hematoma with headaches and dizziness, calluses on the feet, lumbar spine disability, seizures, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, and prostate complications. However, these claims are being remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings were generally granted, with the exception of his claim for tinnitus which was denied due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's joint and muscle pain is considered service-connected, as are his right eye conjunctivitis and facial numbness.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was initially rated as 20 percent disabling prior to December 2, 2009, and increased to 40 percent disabling thereafter.,For the cervical spine disability, the Veteran has been granted a 20 percent rating since March 8, 2000.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at 30 percent since August 23, 2010. The Board has granted a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and vertigo. However, further development is needed as VA examinations did not address the relationship between current symptoms (including dizziness) and service.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings for service-connected migraine headaches. The case has been remanded to address the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 20, 2005 and a rating in excess of 30 percent beginning on that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of left brachial plexus injury do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent, as his symptoms are compensated by separate ratings for other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the severity and frequency of his service-connected headaches, including whether they are prostrating. Additional medical records from VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) must be obtained.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not rated higher than 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.