Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and migraine headaches are granted as service-connected, with effective dates based on the date of receipt of their respective claims.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of TBI and headaches, but has remanded the issue of service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a TBI.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disability and memory loss due to undiagnosed illness, as additional development is needed. Specifically, the National Archives and Records Administration must be contacted to obtain VA Medical Center records from 1997 to 1999 in Marion, Indiana.

The Veteran's migraine or stress-related headaches are manifested by not more than characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for these conditions, as they meet the criteria for this rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back condition, right knee condition, sleep apnea, and headaches due to lack of evidence or insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has previously remanded the Veteran's claim, but there has not been substantial compliance with the previous directives. The case is being returned to the RO for another addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s diagnosed migraine headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected neck disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to be of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment since August 28, 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current diagnoses of migraines, hiatal hernia, and degenerative arthritis have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeals as to bilateral ankle disability, shrapnel wounds of the left eye, and PTSD with traumatic brain injury and depressive disorder. A 50 percent rating was granted for tension headaches associated with PTSD with traumatic brain injury and depressive disorder, and a 70 percent rating was granted for PTSD with traumatic brain injury and depressive disorder.

Service connection for degenerative intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine has been reopened and granted.,Service connection for left hand disorder, migraine headache disorder, and left knee disorder have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder, arm, elbow, neck, vision, hypertension, skin disorder, headaches (secondary to tinnitus), and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The remand requires further development such as obtaining medical records, scheduling examinations, and making attempts to obtain a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for chronic migraines and generalized anxiety disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's migraine headaches, and its impact on her employment and daily activities.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is granted a 50% rating prior to May 4, 2016 and denied any higher. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her tension headaches is remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records. The case will be returned after compliance with appellate procedures.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of initial TBI examinations conducted by qualified specialists, and will schedule a new examination for the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including neck injury, face and nose injuries with sinus problems, headaches, numbness in fingers, and numbness in feet. The reasons are that the VA examination was inadequate and new examinations are required to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss and granted service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, back disability, and neck disability. The claims for right ear hearing loss and temporary total evaluation are still pending and need further examination and evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the potential impact on his TDIU claim.

The Veteran's upper back pain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)/heartburn, and migraines were not incurred in or related to service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active duty or were otherwise linked to an in-service event.