Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his active service, and granted service connection for this condition. The issues of whether new and material evidence has been received in order to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches; entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected fibromyalgia; and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected vascular heart disease are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 26, 2011 for service connection of tinnitus has been granted. The effective date is set at March 4, 2008.

The Veteran's post-concussive syndrome with migraine headaches has been rated at 30 percent since the appeal period began, reflecting characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over several months.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disorders, as well as headaches. The initial ratings for lumbar spine and bilateral eye disabilities are still pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is related to his service-connected migraine headache disability, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the appeal for additional examinations and opinions to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a head injury, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and a low back disability.

The Veteran's headaches as a residual of TBI have been rated at 50 percent, the highest schedular rating available.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for residuals of a broken nose has been withdrawn.,Service connection was denied for stomach disorder (GERD) as the evidence does not support its occurrence or causation in relation to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurrent tension headaches with associated dizziness are etiologically related to his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches are related to his military service and thus warrant service connection.

The Veteran's headaches are rated as 50 percent disabling, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, laxity and instability of the right knee, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, laxity and instability of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been granted initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches did not meet the criteria for service connection as they are not related to his service-connected allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected headaches. The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected headaches.

The Veteran's headache disorder is secondary to his service-connected traumatic brain injury. His insomnia, diagnosed as chronic sleep impairment due to PTSD, is part of his service-connected disability rating for PTSD. The VA examiner found no evidence of fibromyalgia or muscle cramps and joint pains that could be attributed to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inextricably intertwined issues and insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted a 100 percent initial rating for depressive disorder NOS effective May 14, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions are not supported by sufficient evidence to warrant higher ratings or service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, with a 100% rating for major depressive disorder since November 13, 2014.