Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities are rated at the maximum available ratings, while his migraine headaches do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated employment information and potential SSA disability benefits records. The case will be reviewed after these steps are completed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records and the need to consider the Veteran's participation in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported headaches are not a current disability and thus cannot be service-connected. The evidence did not support a diagnosis of headaches, but rather diagnoses related to facial injuries sustained during service.

Service connection is granted for HTN and left hip degenerative changes, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.,No current disorder manifested by vertigo/dizziness was found. Service connection is denied for this condition.,Tension headaches are not related to service or exposure to toxins/undiagnosed illness. Service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension and migraine headaches are not related to his military service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's headaches. The Veteran served in Vietnam but there is no evidence of service treatment records or diagnoses related to his current headache condition.

The Board found no evidence of a worsening headache condition during service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including leukemic mononucleosis, lymphoma, deep white matter deviation to include memory loss, headaches other than sinusitis with headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, bilateral inner ear nerve damage to include vertigo and loss of balance, right-sided tongue paralysis, right-sided vocal cord paralysis, residuals of strep throat with heart murmur, right-sided neck gland swelling with difficulty swallowing and a near-esophageal knot, right shoulder rotator cuff disability, bilateral hand nerve damage, brittle fingernails, heart palpitations, hypertension, bilateral leg disorder to include weakness, edema, vascular deterioration, and varicose veins, bilateral knee disorder to include cartilage deterioration, bone grinding, and fatigue, bilateral ankle disorder to include edema, bilateral foot nerve damage to include the balls of the feet and the toes, brittle toenails, residuals of pneumonia, and dry skin. The claims were denied as not being related to service or any other basis.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing. The appeal will be returned to the AOJ after the hearing is conducted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing treatment records from the Cincinnati VA Medical Center. The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a head injury, including facial scarring, headaches, dizziness, anger management symptomatology, and memory loss, is pending.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain post injury with headaches has been rated at 10 percent since December 12, 2007. The disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diabetic retinopathy was granted, and he is now rated at 30 percent for exertional headaches. The adjustment disorder remains rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms, including nightmares and anxiety, resulted in reduced reliability and productivity. The current rating of 100% is appropriate.,For tension headaches from May 14, 2010 onwards, the Veteran has been granted a maximum schedular disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The issue of service connection for headaches remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches did not have their onset during active service and are not otherwise related to such service. The criteria for service connection for migraine headaches have not been met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic cephalgia including migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for an examination and further development of the record.