Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for right eye vision and headache disabilities have been denied as there is no current disability found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO.

The Veteran's migraines, which are accompanied by photophobia, phonophobia, and nausea, have manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The criteria for an initial rating of 50 percent, but no greater, for migraine headaches have been met.

The Veteran does not have a current headache disability that is attributable to military service and the Board finds no evidence of a chronic headache disability in service or a link between any complained of headaches and service. Therefore, service connection for residuals of head trauma, to include headaches, is denied.

The Veteran's tension headache disorder is service-connected as it is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD. The skin disorders of the feet and ankles, including chloracne, are not service-connected.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraines, neck disorder, and psychiatric disorder were not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's injuries were not incurred in line of duty, and therefore service connection for the claimed conditions is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, neurological impairment of the lower extremities (including radiculopathy, polyneuropathy and peripheral neuropathy), and headaches are all found to be related to his service-connected chronic low back disability with arthritic changes. The claim for an increased evaluation for the low back disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU rating, as his combined disability rating is at least 90 percent and he has been found unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vascular headaches, head injuries, and bilateral eye injury. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran does not have currently diagnosed disabilities of skin problems, breathing problems, headaches, or fatigue. The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for service connection in these areas are denied.

The Veteran's headache disorder is etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD with depression, adjustment disorder, and anxiety. The Board has granted service connection for the headache disorder as secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and a reevaluation of his service connection and rating claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active service, and therefore, he is not entitled to service connection for any of these disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, and therefore the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA hospital for treatment of his service-connected conditions were approved due to the nature and severity of his symptoms, which constituted an emergency.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and migraine headaches are found to be related to service, while the sciatica of the lower extremities is not considered secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and headaches are being considered.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his headaches and whether they are related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional medical records. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for hypertension remains pending.