Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent, effective from January 2011. The Veteran's TBI and headache claims were denied. The increased rating claim for the right shoulder was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the L5-S1 vertebrae is currently rated at 20 percent, which adequately reflects the functional limitation of forward flexion to a degree greater than 45 degrees.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected TMJ and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left foot neuritis, as there was no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to her military service. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches was partially granted with a 30% disability evaluation.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and for a new examination of her service-connected tension headaches. The issues on appeal include the initial disability rating for tension headaches, an initial compensable rating for breast reduction mammoplasty, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent disability rating, effective August 25, 2006. The evidence shows weekly prostrating headaches that are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of her claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA medical examination, and readjudicating the issues.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for hypertension, headaches, bilateral tinnitus, hypothyroidism, and PTSD. The claims are based on secondary service connection in the case of hypertension and direct service connection for the other conditions.,Service connection is established for each condition listed above.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board will review this evidence and readjudicate his claims.

The Veteran's TBI residuals and cervical spine strain with degenerative disc disease, spondylosis, and intervertebral disc syndrome have been evaluated as denied. The Veteran was not granted any increased ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion addressing the Veteran's headaches and whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examinations, including new evaluations of his service-connected headaches, bilateral epicondylitis of the elbows, and residuals of hepatorrhaphy.

The Veteran's headache disorder, seizure disorder, and trigeminal neuralgia are all found to be related to his in-service injury.,Service connection is granted for a headache disorder, generalized motor seizure disorder, and trigeminal neuralgia.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated as 50 percent disabling since August 31, 2010. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating and the TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches with migraines are rated at 50% effective January 13, 2016. Effective that date, he is also entitled to SMC at the housebound rate.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address the nature and etiology of his gastrointestinal condition(s), peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his headaches, low back disability, and lower extremity neurological disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cluster headaches is being remanded to allow the VA Regional Office (RO) to refer it to the Director of Compensation for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation. The RO will also return the claims folder to the neurologist who conducted the 2016 examination for an addendum opinion addressing how the service-connected headaches interact with other service-connected disabilities, in the context of occupational or other functional impairment.

The Board has denied the appellant's requests to reopen his claims for service connection due to his refusal to report for VA examinations.