Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of service connection for various conditions have become moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disorder and back disorder are not related to his military service, leading to a denial of both claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for headaches before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches are rated at 10 percent, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of prostrating attacks.,The bilateral breast reduction mammoplasty resulted in symmetrical breasts with well-healed superficial scars. The Veteran does not have any significant functional impairment from her scars.

The Veteran's nasal condition and migraines are not service-connected as they were not manifested during his military service.,There is no objective evidence of a qualifying chronic disability for joint pain.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for residuals of TBI and post traumatic headaches, residual of TBI, was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for residuals of TBI prior to July 27, 2011, or from July 27, 2011, forward. He is also not entitled to a separate rating for post traumatic headaches, residual of TBI, as of April 23, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee, back, and headache disabilities are not related to his service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation for these conditions.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, residuals of a concussion, were not manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months from June 1, 2005 to July 21, 2010. From July 22, 2010 to July 17, 2013, he had migraine headaches with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months but not by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. Since July 16, 2013, his headaches have been manifested by impaired memory, attention, concentration and/or executive functions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of the claimed conditions and insufficient evidence to support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for migraine headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment prior to December 26, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and mechanical headaches are caused by her service-connected right shoulder reconstruction with distal clavicle resection osteoplasty and degenerative joint disease, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, sinus infections, and a cervical spine disability. The appeals are now remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are rated at 50% since November 9, 2012. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU rating effective June 29, 2010.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. The Veteran's migraine headaches are characterized by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of at least once a month over the last several months, requiring medication and rest.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's migraine headaches or acquired psychiatric disorder were incurred in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and determine the etiology of his fatigue, chills, weight fluctuations, joint pain, muscle soreness and headaches. The examiner will need to assess whether these symptoms are indicative of an undiagnosed illness or a diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's PTSD, fractured left tibia and fibula, and muscle tension headaches were all rated at 50%, 30%, and 30% respectively as of August 27, 2008.,TDIU was granted effective from the date of receipt of the claim on August 27, 2008.