Migraines & headaches decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including gastrointestinal and lower leg disorders, were granted with an initial noncompensable rating. The Veteran's headaches claim resulted in a higher initial compensable rating.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and headache disorder are granted service connection as they are related to their active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to legal error in denying an increased rating based on medication effects, and a new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder is found to be service-connected. The status of her hysterectomy, gastrointestinal disorder, hypertension, migraines, and sleep apnea claims are pending further medical evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headache disorder is at least as likely as not related to service, and thus grants her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated as noncompensable, and her degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board finds that a new VA examination is necessary to address the current severity of her service-connected conditions.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and trochanteric bursitis, left hip; and for service connection for a TBI and migraine headaches with associated facial numbness.

The Veteran's TBI with residual tension headaches is rated at 10 percent since January 17, 2013. The left ankle disability remains noncompensable prior to December 3, 2010 and rated at 10 percent since then. Bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent since January 9, 2013. Right and left calcaneal spurs are each rated at 10 percent since December 3, 2010.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to service, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant, through his authorized representative, has withdrawn it.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical degenerative disc disease are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess current severity.

The Board has denied reopening of the claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted to support these claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have not resulted in prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months, and thus do not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the impact of his combined service-connected disabilities on his employability. The case will be readjudicated after this.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD, bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, IBS as due to undiagnosed illness, headaches as due to undiagnosed illness, and muscle fatigue as due to undiagnosed illness. The left foot disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, without consideration of his age or non-service connected disabilities, prevent the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran's initial rating for his DDD of the cervical spine was granted, but he is also granted service connection for headaches that are secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current tinnitus began in active service. The issue of entitlement to service connection for headaches is remanded due to lack of recent VA treatment records and need for a medical examination.