Migraines & headaches decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran needs additional examinations and remands for his claims due to inadequate examination reports in the previous rating decisions. The appeals are now REMANDED.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection for cause of death.

The Veteran's current diagnosed migraine headaches are likely related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD is not service-connected due to lack of a verified in-service stressor. The claim for service connection for headaches was previously remanded and requires further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder and headaches are not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining inpatient treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to assess his tinnitus and TBI residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back arthritis, right and left knee disabilities, and headaches are related to her active service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent disabling from December 7, 2010. The VA examinations and lay statements indicate that the Veteran experiences very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disability most closely approximates the criteria for a 50 percent rating, which is the highest schedular rating provided under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inconsistencies in the record and specific questions regarding the nature and likely etiology of the claimed cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right elbow disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to lack of anatomical loss or use of both hands, blindness in both eyes with 5/200 visual acuity or less, or deep partial thickness burns, full thickness or subdermal burns, or residuals of an inhalation injury.

The Board is remanding the case to allow for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims are being reopened due to new evidence provided.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,The Veteran's right leg disability is also due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,For the period prior to November 2, 2012, a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder has been granted. For the period since November 2, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted.,For the period prior to November 5, 2012, a 10 percent rating for asthma has been granted. For the period since November 5, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 30 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on limitation of motion has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 20 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on unilateral loss of whole or part of ramus involving loss of temporomandibular articulation has been granted.,A 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the right knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right lower extremity neuropathy has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For the period prior to December 13, 2012, a 10 percent rating for GERD has been granted. For the period since December 13, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and knee conditions, have rendered her unable to care for herself without the assistance of another. The Board finds that she requires aid and attendance due to her cognitive dysfunction and multiple falling episodes.

The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability has been reopened and is being remanded to obtain VA examination.,The Veteran's claims for low back disability, headaches, and gastritis are also being remanded to obtain VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including service connection for chiari malformation, increases in ratings for psychiatric disability and radiculopathy conditions, as well as increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right shoulder tendonitis, and cervicogenic headaches. The case is being remanded to allow the Veteran to schedule a hearing and for issuance of an SOC regarding the rating for cervicogenic headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches were incurred in service.,However, the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the addition of her child as a dependent for additional compensation purposes was denied because the first formal claim was received on May 7, 2012. The effective date is set at June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected post-concussion encephalopathy with headaches due to a skull fracture does not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of traumatic brain injury, to include headaches and amnesia, are service-connected. The psychiatric disabilities (including depression, schizophrenia NOS, and PTSD) are not service-connected based on direct evidence.