Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches are proximately due to his service-connected PTSD, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spina bifida, residuals of a back injury, residuals of a closed head injury, migraine headaches, and cerebrovascular accidents with left hemiplegia (secondary to migraine headaches). The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine with associated right lower extremity radiculopathy was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's appeal for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for chronic tension headaches on an extraschedular basis was denied as the evidence did not demonstrate marked interference with employment due to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and his migraine headaches with aura are also rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 30 percent prior to November 21, 2011, and at 50 percent beginning on that date.,The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for his bilateral hearing loss or migraine headaches with aura. His PTSD is currently evaluated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (headaches and cervical spine disability) are being reviewed to determine if they warrant special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status. Additional evidence is needed, including a VA examination and any relevant medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, render her unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, effective October 22, 2013. The Board finds that the Veteran's condition meets the criteria for a 50 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her pseudotumor cerebri and headaches. The matter of TDIU is also being referred due to its intertwinement with the issue of an increased rating for depression.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of migraine headaches has been granted with a maximum rating of 50 percent. The claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and left arm disability have been reopened, but the Board finds that new evidence does not establish a relationship between these disabilities and active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and arranging for a VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical strain with headaches and herniated cervical disks.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the etiology of the Veteran's headaches and neck disabilities. The Veteran is also in receipt of service-connected benefits for his right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to June 28, 2011. The Board granted TDIU benefits based on the evidence showing that his service-connected conditions rendered him unable to work.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical strain, spurring and superior end-plate changes of the thoracolumbar spine, residuals of a TBI including episodes of syncope, and migraine headaches. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of her claim for alcohol dependence. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen her claims for depression, headaches, fibromyalgia, a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea and chronic fatigue syndrome), and awarded service connection for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches and depression are not causally or etiologically due to service, and are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected seizure disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to provide her with a Board video conference hearing on the issues of service connection for various conditions and increased ratings.

The Veteran's petitions to reopen previously denied claims for service connection have been considered. The appeals are currently in the denial stage.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a new hearing and the need to reopen claims related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records. The issues include increased evaluation for closed head injury with post-concussive headaches, a separate evaluation for post-concussive headaches, and TDIU.