Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's chronic headaches are rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim. The Board denied service connection for residuals of TBI and bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, and depression.

The Veteran's migraine headaches result in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inconsistencies in the Veteran's reports and need for updated medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for residual headaches of TBI was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to October 23, 2008 and from October 23, 2008 forward.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for residuals of a back injury, headaches, and bilateral flat feet due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the nature and etiology of his left foot disorder, GI disorders, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, and separate evaluation for limitation of motion (left knee) were denied. The Veteran was granted a noncompensable rating for traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine prior to November 20, 2015, and a 10 percent rating thereafter.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after rescheduling the hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for rhinosinusitis with headaches, and the issue of tension headaches is being reopened. The Veteran's hepatitis C claim remains pending.

The Veteran's claim seeking a higher rating for his service-connected headaches was granted effective February 5, 2010. The effective date of the increased rating is based on evidence showing that the Veteran experienced very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability as of this date.,The Veteran's claim seeking TDIU was also granted effective February 5, 2010. This decision is based on evidence indicating that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and a respiratory disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms or disease during service, and the current conditions are not related to any in-service events.,There is no credible evidence linking the Veteran's current headache and respiratory disorders to his military service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate development, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's migraine headaches clearly and unmistakably pre-existed her service enlistment. The VA examiner did not provide sufficient rationale for their conclusion.

The Board found no evidence of a permanent aggravation of the Veteran's preexisting lower back disorder during service and concluded that she did not develop any other distinct lower back disorders. The Board also determined that her current headache disorder is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's headaches and fatigue/sleep disturbance are found to be secondary to an undiagnosed illness, while the right knee condition is granted a 10 percent evaluation effective from June 1, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records, including SSA records. The issues related to new and material evidence will also be addressed.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and headaches have been granted service connection, with the cervical spine disability being related to multiple airborne jumps during active duty.,Headaches are secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines and for an acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD and anxiety disorder) are pending.

For the period beginning June 20, 2012, the Veteran's migraine headaches have been manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over last several months. The Board affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt and grants a disability rating of 30 percent for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's post-concussion headaches with temporal vision loss and distortion have been rated at 40 percent since August 18, 2011. The claim for a higher rating is denied.