Migraines & headaches decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection were denied. The appeal is currently pending as the RO has granted a higher rating for her residuals of hysterectomy for fibroid uterus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for his service-connected chronic headaches was granted, with the effective date set at July 27, 2009.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a head injury sustained during active duty in Korea. The case has been remanded to obtain additional records and conduct further examination.

The Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his headaches warranted an extraschedular evaluation or that he was unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The effective date for the grant of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and coronary artery disease, are found to be sufficient to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. A TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's tension headaches are found to be related to his inservice head injury, and service connection is granted.,Presbyopia was diagnosed in the Veteran's eyes. However, as it is a developmental disorder of the eye, service connection for this condition is not granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50% due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The claim for service connection for multiple sclerosis is denied as it did not become manifest within seven years after service separation, was not continuous since service separation, and is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's seborrheic dermatitis does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent as it affects less than 40% of his total body or exposed areas, and no systemic therapy is required.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right cerebellar infarction, including headaches and dizziness. The previous denial was based on lack of evidence connecting the stroke to service.

The Board found no evidence of a headache disorder during service, and the Veteran's reported history is not credible. The VA examiner opined that the headaches did not have their onset in service and are not related to PTSD.

The Veteran's TBI with vertigo, migraine headaches associated with the condition, and bilateral tinnitus are now rated at 40 percent effective October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further proceedings consistent with the Joint Motion for Remand. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of the requested development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated as noncompensable. The claims for service connection of right knee, left knee, and ankle disabilities have been reopened due to new evidence received since the July 1993 rating decision. There is a reasonable possibility that his bilateral knee and ankle disabilities are caused by service.

The Board has granted the claim of service connection for hypertension, finding that it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by a service-connected disability (PTSD and DDD with use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications).

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss or a nexus to service.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's cognitive disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's seizure disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.,For the increased rating period prior to August 22, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's headaches met the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on symptomatology that is more nearly approximating characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the course of several months.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the right elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the left elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period prior to April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are not related to his service, including as due to exposure to herbicides like Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing officer's retirement and requests for another hearing. The issues of service connection for hypertension, headaches, and glaucoma are referred back to the RO.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the appellant's cluster headaches, finding that the symptoms meet the criteria for severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development of his claims, including obtaining records from Yale New Haven Hospital and scheduling a VA psychiatric examination.