Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his failure to provide necessary releases for pertinent evidence within a year of the request.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and a new examination to assess the severity of his head trauma residual headaches.

The Veteran's claims for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to April 5, 2012, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for migraine headaches (previously characterized as headaches due to undiagnosed illness) were denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a kidney disability was also denied. Service connection claims for bilateral knee and shoulder disabilities were not addressed since they are not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make her unable to care for herself and she is in need of regular aid and attendance, thus meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service, but his claims for headaches and dizziness are remanded as he did not provide sufficient evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disability and right groin injury were denied in March 2006. The claim to reopen these conditions was not perfected, as no new and material evidence was submitted within one year of the denial.,For his lumbar spine disability, the Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent prior to March 28, 2011; 20 percent from March 28, 2011 to November 29, 2012; and 10 percent since November 30, 2012.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's Chiari I malformation and headaches are proximately due to his service-connected meningitis, meningococcal. As such, the claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the current diagnoses and whether the Veteran's head trauma residuals are related to service, including incidents in 1994 and 1995.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension and headache disorder are not related to his service-connected PTSD or any other in-service event, injury, or illness. The evidence does not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury with headaches and a back disorder have not been substantiated due to lack of evidence showing in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA outpatient records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his service-connected PTSD, headaches, right shoulder disability/arthritis, left shoulder disability/arthritis, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, effective from April 1, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection in part, including for tension headaches and bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for PTSD, diabetes mellitus, prostate condition, ankle/knee conditions, left side pain, and shoulder conditions were also addressed but not granted.

The Veteran likely has PTSD that is attributable to his active military service, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including headaches, spine conditions, and hand/tendon disorders. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an opinion on the impact of these disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to effectively preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment for which the Veteran's education and occupational experience would otherwise qualify him, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability related to his service-connected TBI, and therefore, he is denied service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The claim for headaches remains pending.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by several episodes a month with one to two days requiring rest, but have not resulted in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right leg disability or headache disability related to his service-connected cervical myelopathy. The upper extremity radiculopathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected condition.