Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on the claims of service connection for a bilateral ankle disability and for increase in ratings for headaches and hypertensive retinopathy.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to new evidence received after the December 2012 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating available. The evidence does not support a higher rating as her migraines do not meet the criteria for very frequent and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted initial noncompensable evaluations for the service-connected headaches and PTSD, but denied an increased evaluation for TBI residuals. The right ankle disorder claim is not supported by evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran is required to provide additional evidence or authorization, and undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a headache disorder, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus. The Veteran's headaches have been confirmed and are considered a current disability.,However, there is no evidence of a bilateral wrist disorder at any time since the filing of her claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's strongyloides infection did not have its onset in service and was not related to his service-connected conditions. The cause of death, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is considered immediate rather than contributory.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disorder and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from VA examiners regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective July 1, 2010.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, bilateral ankle and knee disabilities, GERD, residual scar from a left breast lumpectomy, tinnitus, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability and headache disorder are found to be related to service, resulting in the grant of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar muscle strain, tension headaches, and right shoulder Bankart/SAP repair with osteoarthritis have all been rated as noncompensable.,No higher ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Board found that there is no nexus between the current headache disorder and service, nor was it caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to conflicting medical opinions and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and providing a more detailed explanation of the Veteran's headaches disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease are not related to service. The arthritis claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at the maximum (50%) due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that have severely impacted his economic adaptability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional development, including an occupational examination to determine if her service-connected conditions prevent her from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability and headaches are not related to his military service, thus denying both claims.