Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches are manifested by frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for sinusitis, vascular headache syndrome, and pituitary adenoma were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for sinusitis or a rating in excess of 10 percent for vascular headache syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, a nervous disorder, headaches, a sleep disorder, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to undiagnosed illness were denied. The Board notes that further development is needed before these claims can be decided.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to insufficient evidence and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for headaches, to include migraine headaches, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a 60% disability rating effective November 27, 2000. The Veteran also received an increased rating for his costochondritis from 10% to 60%. No other issues were addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that this level of disability more closely approximates the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code. His tinea pedis has not been shown to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's headache disorder is not productive of prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months, and thus does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a chronic back strain or headache disorder that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,There is no evidence to suggest that the Veteran has suffered from recurrent back pain or any back injury since her separation from active duty.

The Veteran's skull loss and traumatic headaches are rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to the size of the bone defect and the nature of his symptoms, respectively.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for a new VA eye examination. The TDIU claim will be deferred until the other pending claims are decided.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine strain and headaches. Separate disability ratings may be considered if warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus and an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence in the current examination reports.

The Veteran's PTSD, low back disability, and migraine headaches are all service-connected. The hearing loss and sleep disorder claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied due to the lack of meeting the required percentage standards set forth in VA regulations. However, his case is referred to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for consideration of whether he qualifies for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for post-concussion syndrome with vestibulopathy, headaches, and nystagmus. However, it granted service connection for nystagmus and assigned a separate 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board is remanding the case to provide VCAA notice and for further development before deciding the claim of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.