Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's severe headaches and dizziness are due to his military service, specifically as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's pulmonary embolism with pleurisy did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 60 percent, as there was no evidence of significant pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, or cor pulmonale. The other conditions were rated separately under appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 6, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's headache disability was not incurred or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness and was not permanently worsened as a result of a service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current stomach condition or any other service-connected disabilities, and thus cannot grant service connection for these issues.

The Veteran's tension and migraine headaches have been rated at 10 percent prior to July 8, 2013, and increased to 30 percent as of that date. The Board found the evidence insufficient to support a higher rating.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits due to his service-connected headache disability. The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim should be referred to VA's Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for neck injury and headaches have been granted, with a separate rating assigned for the TBI associated with her depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches to include pain over the left eye is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between his current condition and military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as he did not provide evidence of a current disability or link to service. The Board found no evidence of undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained multisymptom illnesses.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's migraine headaches prior to April 6, 2012 were characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disorder, migraine headaches, and right ankle disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a vocational assessment and adjudicating the right knee sprain claim. The TDIU claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for sinus disability and headache disorder must be remanded due to incomplete development of medical evidence, conflicts in the medical evidence, and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is found to have developed during his active service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the claim of entitlement to service connection for migraines before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a comprehensive VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current headache disability, including whether it is related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for hypertension, recurrent headaches, and a depressive disorder. Further development is required regarding the diabetes mellitus, testicular disorder, lumbosacral spine, right ankle, and right knee claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) including headaches, sleep problems, and memory loss. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between his current symptoms and his in-service TBI.