Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, a skin disorder, headaches, neuropsychological symptoms (muscle twitches), cardiovascular disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, respiratory disorders (claimed as mesothelioma), and GERD. The decision also addressed an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and opinion requests related to his service-connected lumbar spine, right shoulder, and thumb disabilities, as well as headaches. The claims will be reconsidered in light of all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his headaches or forehead wound, and there was no evidence of new and material evidence to reopen the malaria claim. His hypertension was also not related to service.

The Board has received a statement from the Veteran requesting to withdraw his appeal, and thus the appeal is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's TBI residuals did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the prior version of Diagnostic Code 8045, as there was no evidence of specific neurological disabilities related to his TBI. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for headaches and a prior effective date for service connection of residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Veteran appealed the denial of the earlier effective date claim to the Court, which vacated the decision and remanded it back to the Board.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the issue of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches. The issues of what evaluation is warranted for chronic low back pain with deconditioning, degenerative disc disease, and degenerative joint disease from August 29, 2006, and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for sinusitis and migraine headaches. The case is being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining VA outpatient records from July 2013 forward, a VA medical examination for the purposes of evaluating her service-connected sinusitis, and readjudication of both claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the absence of proper notice for a requested hearing, and he would like to be scheduled for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Des Moines, Iowa.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings on multiple service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claims prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's headaches are not prostrating in nature, but the disability picture more nearly approximates the criteria for an initial compensable rating. The appeal is granted.

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, thus meeting criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected hallux valgus of the left big toe is rated at 10 percent, while his right great toe hallux valgus and migraine headaches are both rated as noncompensable. The Board finds that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected fractures and headaches have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no additional compensation granted.,The Veteran's comminuted right mandibular body fracture has not met the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches have been characterized by pain, but no prostrating attacks occurring an average of once every two months over the past several months have been shown. The criteria for an initial compensable rating for headaches have not been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches has been granted at the maximum schedular evaluation. For her lower back strain with degenerative changes of the spine, she is currently rated at 20 percent from April 28, 2014, and denied any higher ratings.

The Board determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed migraine headaches were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.