Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining clarification of and support for the September 2011 VA medical opinion regarding service connection claims. The Veteran's claims file should be provided to the appropriate examiner.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen claims for service connection for a skin disorder, headaches, chronic fatigue, joint disorder, muscle pain, sleep disorder, difficulty concentrating, shortness of breath, and forgetfulness. The Veteran's claims are considered 'mixed' as some issues have merit while others do not.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and alcohol abuse, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded to the RO due to inadequate VA examination and need for additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's headaches have caused characteristic prostrating attacks, but they have not resulted in severe economic inadaptability at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, which is based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a comprehensive examination to evaluate the nature and severity of his TBI residuals. The VA will obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an appropriate examination.

The Veteran's initial ratings for headaches, thoracolumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity neuropathy have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including burn scars, hearing loss, tinnitus, headache disorder, lung disorder, and a right heel injury, have all been denied. The evidence does not support the Veteran's assertions that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and the retrieval of outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's COPD is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The appeals for headaches, hearing loss, tinnitus, a right leg disability, and a chronic back disability are dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are related to his military service. The decision is based on evidence of a stressor during active duty and subsequent diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, headaches, and sinus disability. The evidence did not support a direct link between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of residuals of a head injury, to include headaches. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for the Veteran's sinus disability. The claim of service connection for a headache disorder is also granted, as new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim. However, the issue of entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains denied.

The Veteran seeks service connection for prostate disorder, skin disorder, and residuals of a head injury. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since July 26, 2007.,The Veteran is also granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability, and thus grants service connection for headaches secondary to this condition. The claim for functional bowel disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine, a back disability, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities as secondary to service-connected malaria. The Veteran's December 1944 injury is also considered in determining the cause of his back disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.