Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since August 17, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran has experienced very frequent and prolonged migraine headaches that have been completely prostrating and likely productive of severe economic inadaptability throughout the entire appellate period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment prior to August 6, 2010.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches, as well as to ensure all relevant development has been completed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, headaches, and bilateral hand numbness. The right hip or lower extremity problem is not supported by the evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral ankle strain, a psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), lumbar strain, hypertension, and migraines. The issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, and joint pain or fibromyalgia claims.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to basal epithelioma surgery and resulting facial nerve damage and headaches is being remanded for additional development, including a clarification of the VA physician's opinion regarding the causation of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for otitis and headaches have been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations are not in substantial compliance with the November 2012 remand orders and has therefore ordered additional examination to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of brain cancer and associated conditions were granted effective from October 24, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of evidence favoring a higher initial rating for the Veteran's headache disability, and because the current severity of his condition needs to be assessed. Additionally, SSA records are requested as they may be relevant to the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for migraine headaches and right knee degeneration of the meniscus have been granted, but his left great toe gout evaluation remains noncompensable. Service connection has not been established for an allergy and sinus condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected chronic headaches.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for the effects of his TBI, including headaches, memory and concentration problems, irritability, and anxiety. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have not resulted in severe economic inadaptability, as they are productive of only mild to moderate disability and do not cause prostrating attacks.

The Board found that the Veteran's current headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by service and are not related to his service-connected tinnitus. The claims for right and left knee conditions have been remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's left knee disability and muscle tension headaches have been evaluated at the 10% level throughout the appeal period. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted.