Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches meet or approximate the criteria for a 50 percent rating, which is the maximum available under DC 8100. The Veteran's condition more nearly approximates the criteria for this higher rating due to very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that additional personnel records are needed to fully evaluate the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches was granted with an effective date of January 13, 1999. This is the earliest possible effective date as it follows her separation from military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, secondary to equilibrium dysfunction, and for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis of the feet were denied. The claim for headaches was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a new VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for migraines headaches and entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including as secondary to service-connected status post excision of basal cell carcinoma of the left cheek, are pending.

The Veteran's hypertension and headaches have been rated as noncompensable (zero percent) since April 14, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a compensable rating for either condition.

The Veteran is granted a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches, the maximum schedular rating available. The left knee disability is rated as 0 percent prior to February 21, 2015 and 10 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, memory loss/concentration trouble and chronic sore throats due to a qualifying chronic disability (to include chronic fatigue syndrome) is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches are related to his service-connected PTSD and have granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, and therefore, the claims are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the etiology of his claimed acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic headaches have not been shown to result in prostrating attacks averaging one in two months or occurring on an average once a month, and thus do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The Board also found that she does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to her service-connected headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, migraine headaches, left shoulder strain with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, left elbow strain, right elbow strain, left wrist sprain, right wrist sprain, cervical spine strain, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and left knee strain with arthritis. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain with arthritis. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claimed residuals of a head injury, including headaches and dizziness, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found that the Veteran's prostate disorder (BPH) is related to his active service, but did not find any link between his skin condition and service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for migraine headaches and determined that he is entitled to service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for new TBI evaluations and additional development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted, but the specific details of each grant are not provided in this decision.