Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, allergic rhinitis, and headaches have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are rated at 50 percent from June 22, 2009. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and considering extraschedular ratings. The hearing on the issue of service connection for rhinitis will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was denied, and his subsequent request for an increased rating to 30 percent or more was also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of very frequent and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, undiagnosed illness involving a skin rash, and tingling of the fingers. The Veteran's claims were not granted as there was no current disability found by VA examiners.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and residuals of a right foot injury. The claim for a headache disorder is pending.,Service connection was also granted for a chronic bilateral knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no direct or secondary service connection based on evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial claim for a headache disorder was granted with an initial noncompensable rating, and later increased to 30 percent effective April 6, 2011. The Board found that the headaches prior to April 6, 2011 warranted a 30 percent rating under DC 8100 (migraines with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months). For periods after April 6, 2011, the Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his permanent and total disability status based on TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, alone, did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 14, 2005. The Board denied the claim for a TDIU prior to that date.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for sinusitis and migraine headaches, but denied service connection for allergic rhinitis.,Service connection was not granted for sinusitis or migraine headaches. Service connection was granted for allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's dental disorder claim is denied as there is no indication of bone loss or disease that would qualify for VA compensation.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current respiratory disability, and the Board finds that her bronchitis claim cannot be granted. The pre-service tubal ligation is presumed to have occurred prior to service.,The Veteran's gynecological disorder (loose clamp from a prior tubal ligation) claim is denied as there is no evidence of any current condition related to service, and the loose clip was likely not aggravated by service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a current headache disability or bilateral hip disability that can be linked to service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are therefore denied.,The Veteran's bilateral hip disability (claimed as a stress fracture) claim is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, Social Security Administration records, and private medical records. Additionally, new VA examinations are required for the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's Meniere's disease is rated at 100 percent, his gastroesophageal reflux disease with hiatal hernia and dysphagia is rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent. The appeals for increased evaluations have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal regarding recoupment of special separation pay was granted, but the appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and tension headaches was denied.,Service connection for tension headaches was established based on evidence showing onset in service. Service connection for sleep apnea was not established.

The Board found that the Veteran's current headaches and erectile dysfunction are not related to service, including environmental exposures during deployment in Southwest Asia. The chronic urethritis and prostatitis were also not shown to be due to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected headaches and traumatic brain injury.

The Board found that the Veteran's current acquired psychiatric disability, including depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), was not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's headaches were also not linked to his military service. The examiner noted that the onset of his headache symptoms occurred after a 1992 work injury.

The Veteran's service-connected right ear scar has been rated as noncompensable (0%) prior to March 22, 2011 and 10% thereafter. He was granted a separate 10% rating for painful scars in December 2014 but denied a higher rating on both issues since the effective date of his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a new claim of service connection for dementia secondary to PTSD, depressive reaction with psychosomatic features including tension headaches and irritable bowel syndrome. The original issue remains about special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or being permanently housebound.