Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine strain, post-concussive headaches, and PTSD with anxiety and depressive disorder were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a Social and Industrial Survey to determine if his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% disability rating. The Veteran does not have residuals of a stroke.

The Veteran's current headaches were not incurred in service and are not related to exposure to contaminated water at Camp LeJeune. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for his headaches.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for migraine headaches that he claims are related to his service-connected post traumatic non-epileptic seizures. The Board has determined that further development, including a VA examination, is necessary to address the etiology of the claimed condition and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches as secondary to an in-service head injury is being remanded due to the need for a new hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ear disability, other than tinnitus, to include serous otitis media was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic ear disability in service. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic headache disability or tinnitus.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims on appeal can be properly adjudicated, including obtaining medical opinions to clarify the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches and scar on the right forehead.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for nosebleeds, sleep apnea, and migraines. However, the Board finds that there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to service or any incident thereof.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at 50% since May 12, 2010. Prior to that date, the criteria for a compensable rating were not met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of her claimed conditions and scheduling a VA examination to assess her acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches are rated appropriately, with the PTSD receiving a 70% rating for the entire appeals period. The claims to reopen for rashes due to an undiagnosed illness and hemorrhoids have been granted. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that TDIU benefits are warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for anal fissures and service connection for residuals of TBI, numbness and tingling of the right upper extremity, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia, headaches, and memory problems. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these issues.

The Veteran's right shoulder and knee disabilities were found to be service-connected, while her migraine headaches were not. Accrued benefits for the right knee and right shoulder conditions are granted, but the claim for migraine headaches is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other claims, including those related to cognitive disorder, headaches, seizure disorder, and heart disorder, are remanded for further development.

The Veteran was found to be incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities during the year immediately preceding her June 11, 2009 claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically depressive disorder NOS, is found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The issues of service connection for urinary tract infections and prostatitis are remanded as the evidence does not provide sufficient information on their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected migraine headaches and to consider his claim for TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his service, including witnessing an IED explosion. The claims for traumatic brain injury, vestibular neuronitis, and headaches were denied.