Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his lumbar spine disability, left knee disability, tension headaches status post traumatic brain injury, gastrointestinal disability (GERD), and left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and any Social Security Administration disability benefits documents. The Veteran's service connection claims for hearing loss and migraine headaches will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's headaches are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's service-connected disability does not render him unemployable.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, including headaches, seizures, blackouts and blurred vision, as well as depression secondary to the same. The decision found that the Veteran's pre-existing conditions likely existed prior to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to January 1, 2006 as he was gainfully employed during this period. Therefore, an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has already been granted, and the Board finds no question of law or fact to be decided regarding this issue. The remaining claims are addressed in the REMAND below.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have migraine headaches, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome during service and could not establish a link between these conditions and his military service. As such, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues not previously addressed in a statement of the case and failure to provide proper VCAA notice. The claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected left deviated septum, status post surgery with recurrent sinusitis, chronic rhinitis and sinus headaches is pending.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the claims for higher ratings for depressive disorder and fracture, left big toe are not granted. The claim for service connection for PTSD, low back disability, skin condition, headaches, gynecological problems, allergies, joint pain, and dental trauma are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and stomach/esophagus disorder, as well as to determine if any headaches or tinnitus are related to his service-connected conditions. The TDIU claim will also be readjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal was granted, with a current evaluation of 50 percent for headaches, probably migraine, post-concussion. The original rating of 30 percent is considered effective prior to October 24, 2006.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus and headaches were granted, but the appeals for higher ratings are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at the highest possible evaluation of 50 percent, and his service-connected lumbar spine stenosis is also granted a maximum rating. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted a maximum rating as well.

The Board has determined that the original grant of service connection for the Veteran's disabilities was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous, thus restoring the previously severed benefits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's cause of death, carcinoma of the ampulla of Vater, was not related to his active military service or presumed herbicide exposure. The Board found no evidence linking any of his service-connected disabilities to his death.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches and sinusitis were previously denied on a direct and secondary basis. New evidence has been presented, but the decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others remain denied.

The Veteran's tension headaches occur at least once per month and last three to six hours, warranting a 30% disability rating. The cervical spine condition remains rated as 10%. Further development is needed for the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's death was caused by an accidental acute tramadol intoxication, which is related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. However, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as he had not been continuously rated totally disabled for at least five years immediately prior to death.