Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's daughter is seeking various ratings and service connection for multiple conditions, but the appeal has been remanded due to scheduling issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and headache disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, including as secondary to his service-connected right and/or left shoulder disabilities. The medical evidence does not support a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals, right ankle musculoskeletal strain are currently rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches and traumatic brain injury with organic affective disorder and cognitive disorder remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a comprehensive VA examination to assess the combined effect of all service-connected disabilities on his ability to secure and maintain gainful employment.

The Veteran's post-concussive headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and his major depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's headache disorder was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is unrelated to active duty service or to a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a headache disorder has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic spine disability is found to be the cause of her left buttock sciatica. For migraine headaches, a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to April 7, 2014 and 50 percent thereafter has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his ability to work based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a myocardial infarction, finding that the Veteran's current heart condition is proximately caused by his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND portion and will be returned to the AOJ.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine conditions, as well as headaches, have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal prior to a decision.

The Veteran's gastroenteritis and migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for lower extremity nerve pain, asthma, and obstructive sleep apnea is pending.

The Veteran's claims have been reopened, and new evidence supports the reopening of his service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), immune system disability, and teeth condition. The Board finds that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. For other conditions, including residuals of heat stroke and hypertension, additional medical examination and treatment records are needed to determine the nature and etiology of these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck condition, acquired psychiatric disability, headache disability, and diabetic retinopathy of the right eye are all service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations if necessary. The case will be readjudicated after the development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule him for examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including right shoulder disability, hypertension, heart disability (mitral valve prolapse), PTSD, TBI, lumbar strain, and need for aid and attendance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine. However, these claims have been denied as there is no evidence showing a causal relationship between any of these conditions and active service.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have residuals of a head injury during service and no continuous symptoms of migraine since service, including to a compensable degree within one year of service separation. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including as secondary to his service-connected right parotid adenocarcinoma. The rating assigned was a temporary 100% disability rating effective March 12, 1985.