Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for headaches, as the claimed condition did not manifest within one year after separation from active duty and there is no medical evidence linking the current condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment for the period from November 21, 2006 to August 16, 2008.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain vocational rehabilitation records and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on employment.

The Board has reopened the claims for depression, subdural hematoma with headaches and dizziness, calluses on the feet, lumbar spine disability, seizures, peripheral neuropathy of various extremities, and prostate complications. However, these claims are being remanded to allow further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings were generally granted, with the exception of his claim for tinnitus which was denied due to lack of evidence. The Veteran's joint and muscle pain is considered service-connected, as are his right eye conjunctivitis and facial numbness.

The Veteran's lumbar strain was initially rated as 20 percent disabling prior to December 2, 2009, and increased to 40 percent disabling thereafter.,For the cervical spine disability, the Veteran has been granted a 20 percent rating since March 8, 2000.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at 30 percent since August 23, 2010. The Board has granted a maximum schedular rating of 50 percent for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and vertigo. However, further development is needed as VA examinations did not address the relationship between current symptoms (including dizziness) and service.

The Veteran's appeal is for increased ratings for service-connected migraine headaches. The case has been remanded to address the issue of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent prior to June 20, 2005 and a rating in excess of 30 percent beginning on that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's residuals of left brachial plexus injury do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent, as his symptoms are compensated by separate ratings for other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for clarification regarding the severity and frequency of his service-connected headaches, including whether they are prostrating. Additional medical records from VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) must be obtained.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not rated higher than 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's DM and hypertension are service-connected. The claim for headaches, bilateral foot disorders, low back disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder is reopened.

The Board has dismissed the appeal regarding service connection for vertigo. The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, residuals of head trauma, is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and left ankle disorders. The remaining issues, including those related to right knee disability, residuals of a right thumb and index finger flexor tendon injury, groin disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, right elbow disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, left hand disorder, sinus disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (including anxiety disorder and PTSD), and sleep disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are not related to her service and denied both claims for service connection.

The Veteran's rhinitis and headaches are caused by his service-connected deviated septum, leading to a 30% initial rating for PTSD prior to February 5, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for a 100 percent evaluation for his service-connected psychiatric disability from September 30, 1952 to November 30, 1988 has been dismissed as the Board does not have jurisdiction over this issue due to procedural issues with prior decisions and appeals.