Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's headaches, which included very frequent and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability, were rated at a 50 percent disability rating prior to November 12, 2009.,Effective October 22, 1997, the Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the Veteran's headache disorder and its relationship to his service-connected ear disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnoses of Multiple Sclerosis and Migraine Headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection as there is no evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The Board also notes that a VA examination was not provided in this case.

The Board has granted service connection for neck and back disabilities, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to military service. The remaining claims have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's chronic headache disability is related to his service-connected psoriatic arthritis affecting the knees and ankles, and thus, he is granted service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's headache disorder is found to be directly related to his service, and he was granted service connection for this condition. The right ankle disability continues to warrant a 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability ratings for migraine headaches and TDIU benefits was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right ankle disability and TBI have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, with no additional compensable ratings granted. Headaches were not found to be related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational background and occupational experience during the period when he was unemployed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, headache, and acquired psychiatric conditions are not related to his military service.,The loss of sense of smell is also not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (Depressive Disorder, Migraine Headaches, and Left Eye Injury) prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's PTSD and headaches are rated at the maximum available ratings, with TDIU granted prior to March 30, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches, including migraine headaches and as secondary to service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn by the Veteran's authorized representative. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider this matter.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches, claimed as headaches with blurred vision and dizziness, was granted. The RO also awarded a 70 percent rating for PTSD in the April 2010 decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his military service, and the claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from maintaining substantial gainful employment since April 10, 2007. The Board grants an effective date of April 10, 2007 for the grant of TDIU.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was incurred in service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed head injury, memory loss, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disorder (bipolar disorder) due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The Board found that the injuries occurred as a result of the Veteran's own willful misconduct involving alcohol abuse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are not service-connected, and his right knee disability is denied as secondary to a service-connected condition.