Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, with a 20% rating effective from May 1, 2014. The claims of service connection for neck disability, bladder dysfunction, headaches, and left knee DJD are all denied.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected chronic headaches, residuals of prostate cancer, and radiation proctitis are denied. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy is also denied.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches, effective May 3, 2001. The claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal for vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code has been withdrawn. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to February 19, 2009 was granted. The RO has already granted the Veteran a 40% rating for his lumbar spine disability effective from April 16, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's immune system deficiency and service, including exposure to burning trash and feces. The same will be done for his headaches.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including sleep apnea, bilateral foot disorder, bilateral knee disorder, right ankle disorder, headache disorder, and residuals of Bell's palsy. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly address these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence received from SSA and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran's alleged hospitalization in June 1979 needs to be verified, and a VA examination is needed to assess whether his headaches are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for congestive heart failure, deviated nasal septum, sinus disability, and COPD. The Board found no evidence of a chronic sinus disability during service and determined that any current sinus disability was not related to service. Service connection was also denied for COPD as the examiner opined it was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims and granted them, with some issues receiving staged ratings. The effective date for the award of PTSD is set at April 9, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headaches and addressing whether they are related to his service-connected double cyst formation in the upper occipital region.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches, which he claims are related to his period of active duty service and/or his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Type II diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that additional development is necessary prior to adjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar strain and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee have been granted increased disability ratings, while his service connection claim for cluster headaches remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right ear hearing loss, and tension headache disorder are service-connected. The heart disability, throat disability, and back disability claims have been denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. The Veteran's migraine headaches are also found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected craniofacial fibrous dysplasia with chronic headaches is rated at 50% effective April 1, 2014. Prior to that date, the condition was not considered severe enough for a higher rating.

The Veteran's headaches and numbness in the lower legs and lower back are not considered to be due to VA carelessness, negligence or similar fault. The condition is deemed to have resulted from a pre-existing issue unrelated to the spinal tap performed at the VA Hospital.