Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected tooth #9 and his claim for service connection for headaches have been denied. The remaining issues are not addressed as they were remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and clarification of opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches and bilateral tendonitis of the feet.

The Veteran's TBI with headaches disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that an increased rating beyond this level is not warranted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since October 24, 2006. The maximum schedular rating for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension, migraines, and left hip bursitis were all rated at the minimum 10 percent level. The decision did not address any other issues or conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder, to include as due to formaldehyde poisoning during active military service is denied. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a headache disorder related to his in-service exposure to formaldehyde or any other event/service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Headache Disorder is related to service, but his Residuals of a Head Injury and Acquired Psychiatric Disability (to include PTSD or Bipolar Disorder) are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to address specific issues in the claims. The Veteran's appeal is now pending again with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his combat service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board finds additional development necessary for the remaining issues as the Veteran reported worsening of these conditions since the last VA compensation examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The appeal is related to presumptive exposure to herbicides, which may affect his diabetes claim.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are not related to his current brain disorder, Chiari Type I malformation. The Board finds that the Veteran's Chiari Type I malformation is a congenital or developmental disease and was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work during the period from September 18, 2006 to March 23, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death was not related to his service-connected disabilities, and denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn the appeal regarding lung cancer, hypertension, and headaches.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches have been rated at 30 percent since March 30, 2012. The VA examiners found the headaches to be non-prostrating and not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran is competent to report experiencing headaches and credible. The evidence is at least in relative equipoise as to whether his chronic headaches are related to his active service or secondary to his service-connected disabilities, thus resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently evaluated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, low back disability, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses of these conditions and credible evidence linking them to her military service.

The Veteran's headaches due to TBI syndrome are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum initial rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100 for migraines. The symptoms described do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's migraine symptomatology more nearly approximates very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a maximum disability rating of 50 percent for the entire appeal period.