Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeals for all issues.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating for various conditions are pending.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of migraine headaches and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a relationship between the Veteran's migraines and her service-connected hyperthyroidism.

The Veteran's service was not considered eligible for Post-9/11 GI Bill education benefits due to his discharge being an entry level separation and not a dishonorable discharge, nor did he meet the 30-day active duty requirement.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 50 percent rating for PTSD with anxiety/adjustment disorder since August 23, 1989. He seeks an increased initial rating.

The Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic acquired psychiatric disability, headaches and seizure disorder have been granted higher ratings effective June 21, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headache disorder, restless leg syndrome, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's migraine headaches with catamenial and chronic component have been rated at 50% since August 20, 2012. The maximum rating for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for post-operative residuals of pituitary gland tumor and headaches, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at a 30 percent since March 5, 2012. The VA examiner found that the Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once per month, which corresponds to the criteria for a 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's migraine disorder, along with other service-connected conditions, has been rated at 50% since November 27, 2012. The Board also found that the Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities prior to this date and granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records, scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and determining whether any claimed conditions are related to military service.

The Board has determined that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's current headache disability is related to service, including any pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's intermittent occipital headaches have resulted in characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over several months, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disorder, scars of the right neck, right ear, and scalp, right lateral chest scars, and left shoulder shrapnel wound are all rated at their maximum levels. The Board found that the current schedular evaluations adequately reflect the severity and symptoms of these disabilities.

The Veteran's low back disability and headaches were not found to be related to service. The cervical strain was rated based on its current manifestations, while the radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was also rated based on its current symptoms.,Service connection for TDIU was granted as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to work.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted as the evidence shows that he had headaches during service and they have persisted since then.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for headaches prior to August 16, 2011. The Veteran's headaches were found not to cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's headaches, rated at 50 percent disabling from November 30, 2009 to January 1, 2014, have been found to be severe enough to cause significant effects on his occupation as a self-employed auctioneer. The Board has granted an initial disability rating of 50 percent for headaches during this period.

The Veteran is entitled to an annual clothing allowance for the year 2013 due to his use of a VA-provided ankle brace that causes premature wearing of his clothing.