Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and seborrheic dermatitis, have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to their severity.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is related to in-service injuries. The thyroid disorder claim remains pending as an addendum opinion is needed from the VA examiner. Service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine if his headaches and heart condition are related to service or secondary to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he and his representative withdrew their appeals in writing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for headaches is being remanded due to the need to obtain employment records from his previous employer.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a shrapnel wound injury, headaches, and seizures are granted as they are found to be related to his in-service injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran suffered a TBI during service and granted service connection for residuals of such injury, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification on the extent of his service-connected low back disability and additional development of evidence.

The Veteran's surgical scar from laparoscopic surgery is currently rated at 10 percent, effective February 27, 2014. Her migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, and her hypothyroidism is currently rated at 100 percent.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn with respect to his claims of service connection for renal cancer and a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of both feet. The remaining issues are decided as follows.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis of diabetes or glaucoma, and the left shoulder and neck disorders are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the submission of new evidence. The AOJ will consider this evidence and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions, including right hand scars, left hip scar, chin scar, and knee conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his tension headaches was denied prior to June 25, 2014. However, from that date forward, he is now rated at the maximum allowable under Diagnostic Code 8100.,Service connection has been established for degenerative joint disease of the bilateral shoulders.

The Board has granted service connection for depression as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected headache disability and granted an increased rating of 10 percent for tension headaches. The Veteran's rhinitis is rated at 10 percent due to more than 50% obstruction on both sides, with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once every two months.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches were aggravated by service, and therefore established service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches have been rated based on their severity, with a 10% rating for hypertension and a 50% rating for headaches. Both conditions meet the criteria under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are characterized by at least prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months, warranting a 10 percent disability evaluation.