Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that further development is needed to clarify the appellant's service connection claims, including obtaining her complete military personnel records and any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The Board will also seek an opinion on whether the Veteran's migraines are secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder mixed with anxiety and depression.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and he is considered unemployable.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches have been manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over several months throughout the period on appeal, warranting a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions to address the etiology of his cervical spine disorder and headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and increased ratings was dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the appeals. The Board granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cyst in the brain and migraine headaches were granted effective June 30, 2010. The Board found that an earlier effective date is not warranted as it would be prior to the day following her separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and clarification of medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and providing a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's neurological disorders clearly and unmistakably preexisted service.

The Veteran's service-connected mood disorder due to chronic pain with depressive features and migraine and migraine variants, status post traumatic brain injury have not met the criteria for increased ratings as of February 27, 2016.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent since September 11, 2017, due to very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks that have caused severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cardiovascular disorder and chronic headache disability are not related to his active service, and therefore denied these claims.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 10 percent since April 16, 2010. From December 16, 2009, to December 31, 2010, and as of January 11, 2010, the Veteran is found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), vertigo, headaches, and memory loss are granted. The evidence shows a history of in-service head injuries from blast exposures, which resulted in current disabilities including TBI-related symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, cognitive deficits, and anxiety.

The Veteran's current migraine headaches are etiologically related to an in-service injury, specifically a blast exposure during deployment to Iraq. The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's headache disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions, including right hand disorder, left hand disorder, cervical spine strain, and migraine headaches, have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tension headaches are being remanded for further development to determine if they are directly related to service and/or secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination and an opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for headaches, loss of concentration, IBS, and a sleep disorder. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tension headaches and neck pain as they are not separate disabilities from his already service-connected conditions.