Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's migraines and heart disorder are presumed to be related to his military service, with the Board finding that reasonable doubt exists in both cases.,The Veteran's sleep disturbance, muscle/joint pain, stomach/constipation disorder, memory loss, and fatigue are also presumed to be related to his military service.

The Veteran was granted service connection for a head injury/cerebral concussion and headaches, but denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension.,Diabetes mellitus type II and hypertension were not found to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's headache disorder did not manifest in active service and is not otherwise related to service. The Board also found that her left knee and right knee disorders were not caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches did not manifest during military service, were not caused by a disease or injury while on active duty, and are not related to his service-connected left shoulder disability. As such, the claim for service connection for headaches is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected tension headaches is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate her fibromyalgia and other claimed conditions. The case will be returned to the Board after further review.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's functional impairment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his severe migraine headaches, have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since February 26, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing a VA examination to assess the Veteran's head injury residuals. The Veteran is presumed to be seeking the maximum possible evaluation.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for a bilateral shoulder condition and left knee condition have been denied as there is insufficient evidence of in-service injury or treatment.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression has been denied as there is insufficient evidence of in-service injury or treatment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are productive of very frequent, completely prostrating attacks and severe economic inadaptability. Therefore, an initial rating of 50 percent is granted.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be incurred in or related to active duty service. The Veteran is granted TDIU based on her service-connected PTSD and headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50% since June 13, 2008, due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for various equipment purchases/home modifications under the vocational rehabilitation independent living plan is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and updated independent living assessment.

The Veteran's headaches were rated at a 30 percent disability rating from September 10, 2014, and he is no longer entitled to a higher rating prior to that date.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a current disability related to the neck-related disability, residuals of drainage of a lateral pharyngeal abscess on the left side of the neck. The Veteran's complaints were not documented until 32 years after service and are more likely due to his chronic use of opioids.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for additional development, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection and evaluation for tinnitus and migraine headaches. Additional development is required.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension on a secondary basis to her service-connected migraine headaches and lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's combined rating from all service-connected disabilities is at least 70%, meeting the criteria for TDIU, but she was found unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her employment history.