Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded all claims due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ectatic AICA with facial neuralgia and migraine headaches are service connected, as they were first manifested during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected post-concussion headaches have been found to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining any type of gainful employment since June 1, 2004. As the date of claim was later than the date entitlement arose, an effective date of June 1, 2004 is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a disability due to central nervous system ischemic changes and an earlier effective date for coronary artery disease were denied. The claim for a higher rating for coronary artery disease was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic headaches and cognitive impairment from TBI, are found to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 18, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits based on recognition of his spouse, children, and stepchild is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has reopened the claims for right and left ankle disabilities, low back disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), headaches, and right hip disability. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee disability is REMANDED.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50% since April 12, 2010. The Board found that the Veteran experiences very frequent and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's subjective complaints of tinnitus are etiologically related to his active military service, and the Board grants service connection for tinnitus. The issue of headaches is remanded as it may be related to an undiagnosed illness due to Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated as noncompensable since June 4, 2010. Effective November 1, 2011, the Veteran is now rated at 50 percent for his migraine headaches.,From November 1, 2011, the Veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in a combined disability rating of 70 percent or more, qualifying him for consideration of TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches are related to his service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The chest and stomach issues remain unclear based on current evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder is as likely as not of such nature and severity as to prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the AOJ for further consideration, including an extraschedular evaluation based on multiple disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for breathing difficulties and chest discomfort, finding that these conditions are not related to his active service. The other issues have not been decided.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and the need for supplemental opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent since the initial grant of service connection, but no higher.,For his right knee disability, the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating prior to May 9, 2013.

The Veteran's tinnitus and PTSD are service-connected, with the PTSD receiving a 100% rating effective October 12, 2011. No other conditions have been granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for molluscum contagiosum and headaches, finding new and material evidence. The skin disability is found to be related to active duty service, including as due to an undiagnosed illness from service in the Persian Gulf War. Headaches are found to be aggravated by a pre-existing condition (fibromyalgia).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations in accordance with the DSM-5, as well as obtaining additional medical records.