Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU as of September 14, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities did not manifest in service or within one year of service, and are not otherwise related to service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities or sciatica of the lower extremities.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities did not manifest in service or within one year of service, and are not otherwise related to service.,After affording the benefit of the doubt, a current headache disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine if her service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA treatment records. The Board will then determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent effective August 8, 2013. The rating for photophobia remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain and TBI with residual headaches do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The Board found that his current ratings adequately reflect the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, and her irritable bowel syndrome is rated at 30 percent. The combined rating does not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on these conditions alone.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to inadequate examination reports and need for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a head injury with headaches and neck pain, but denied the claims for left knee and left ankle disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to determine if service connection is warranted for bilateral knee disorder, low back disorder, seizure disorder, and headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination to assess his current migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in its May 2013 decision regarding TDIU. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA Social and Industrial Survey to determine her employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches had their onset during service and are related to his in-service surgery, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to reopen his previously denied service connection claims have been granted. The issues are now on the merits.,Service connection for a sleep disorder, to include poor concentration and memory loss, is moot as the Veteran has since been awarded a 100 percent schedular rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's combined rating for pension purposes is 40 percent, which does not meet the schedular requirements for nonservice-connected pension benefits. The evidence does not demonstrate that he is permanently and totally disabled from nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an increased rating for headaches and a TDIU claim. The Board has determined that these issues are inextricably intertwined, but the proper course of action is to remand them for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD and depression; migraine headaches; and TMJ are related to her military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and major depressive disorder have been granted ratings of 50% and 100%, respectively, reflecting the severity of their symptoms.

The Board is remanding the case for a Travel Board hearing and further development.

The Veteran's headache disorder is related to service, and the Board grants his claim for service connection.