Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Veteran's service-connected TBI and PTSD with substance abuse have resulted in total occupational and social impairment, warranting a 100% rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and sleep apnea, finding no new and material evidence to reopen these claims. The claim for chest pain was also denied as there is no evidence of a compensable disability due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current migraine headaches did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to his military service, including exposure to mortar blasts and IED explosions. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical spine degenerative disc disease with right-sided radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not show symptoms warranting higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and her TDIU have been granted. She is now rated at 70% disability due to the combined effect of multiple service-connected conditions, including PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current residuals of a head injury. The Veteran's service treatment records indicate he sustained a head injury in 1984 during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as her conditions are not shown to be related to her military service, including service in the Persian Gulf. The appeal was reopened on new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records. The issues of an increased evaluation for migraine headaches and entitlement to TDIU prior to November 19, 2010 are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability ratings for headaches and traumatic brain injury. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to consider these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 50 percent rating, diabetes mellitus remains at 20 percent, bilateral cataracts remain at 10 percent, and headaches are rated as non-compensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work, and for consideration of extraschedular TDIU criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, claimed as migraines or white foci of the brain, to include as due to exposure to mustard gas is being remanded for further development and clarification.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's headaches and their impact on his employment. The TDIU claim will also be addressed as it may have an impact on the initial rating claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disability, sleep apnea, GERD, migraine headaches, and bilateral hearing loss. The reasons provided were that there was no confirmed diagnosis of these conditions in service or since service separation, and continuity of symptoms since service could not be established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of migraine headaches or ruptured left inguinal hernia, post-operative. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for TDIU due to his service-connected PTSD, prostate cancer residuals, and left occipital area fragment wound with chronic headaches and trigeminal neuropathy preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's chronic hypertensive headaches have been rated at 10 percent since June 1, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches. Service connection for hypertension due to PTSD was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and obtaining relevant medical records. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after all referred issues are addressed.