Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and secondary service connection for depression as related to the Veteran's chronic headaches.

The Board is remanding the claims to obtain Social Security Administration records and any ongoing VA medical treatment records for consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder disability and migraine headaches to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected cerebrovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), or peripheral neuropathy. The Veteran's representative indicated that his vascular dementia claim was resolved, so this issue is no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's migraines have resulted in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current migraine headache disability began in service and has continued since service, supporting a finding of service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches did not originate during his active military service or for many years thereafter and are not related to his active service.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed TBI, and concluded that his headaches are unrelated to service.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a higher initial evaluation for right ankle disability. The effective date of the grant of service connection for right ankle disability was set at September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety, depressed mood, and headaches has been granted. The effective date of the increased rating is April 7, 2009.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including as due to a service-connected left foot fracture, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.,The Veteran did not experience any in-service dental trauma or bone loss resulting in missing teeth for purposes of outpatient treatment.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a depressive disorder, is found to be aggravated by his service-connected chronic renal insufficiency. The claim for residuals of a head and neck injury, to include headaches and nightmares, remains pending.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, and his dysthymic disorder is also rated at 50 percent. The combined rating of both conditions is 80 percent, which meets the threshold requirement for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, prior to February 28, 2007, did not render him unemployable due to his nonservice-connected leukemia.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current right knee and head injury disabilities to his military service, including any in-service injuries. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current headache disorder related to service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board finds the Veteran's current headache condition is likely secondary to his service-connected hypertension and grants service connection for headaches as secondary to hypertension.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records and private treatment information are needed, as well as new VA examinations for the Veteran's headaches and thoracic spine disorders. The claims will be remanded to allow these steps.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches have been rated at the maximum 50 percent under Diagnostic Code 8100, effective April 3, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions from previous VA examinations.