Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression and headaches, prevented him from working as of March 27, 2006. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise and grants TDIU effective March 27, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was withdrawn. The Board found that the Veteran's tension headaches most closely approximated a 30 percent disability rating, based on characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once per month over several months. For his right ankle sprain with mild degenerative joint disease and arthritis of both knees, he is currently rated at 10 percent each.

The Veteran was rendered unemployable as of May 21, 2013, solely due to his multiple service-connected disabilities and this has continued unabated since that point in time.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow ulna spurring, right hand middle trigger finger, and left hand middle trigger finger disabilities have been granted with a 10% rating each. The Veteran does not have any other service-connected conditions addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are etiologically related to his in-service car accident and service-connected residuals of a comminuted left zygoma fracture with nerve involvement. The examiner should also provide opinions on whether the Veteran's memory loss is related to these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, including headaches, blurred vision, and photophobia is granted as the evidence shows that his current symptoms are related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and VA treatment records. Additional medical opinions are also needed regarding the diagnoses of psychiatric disorders, vasovagal syncope, seborrheic keratosis and actinic keratosis, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected cephalalgia, residuals of a mild concussion, and migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and migraines are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant service treatment records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest available evaluation of 70 percent.,The Veteran's fatigue, headaches, muscle aches and pains, tingling of limbs, poor concentration, mood and sleep disorder, respiratory condition, low grade fevers, and boils are considered to be manifestations of an undiagnosed illness due to his Gulf War service.

The Board found that the Veteran's headache disorder is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and variability of diagnoses. The Veteran needs to be rescheduled for a VA examination to address his skin disability, lung disorder, diabetes mellitus, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headache disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various sinus and respiratory conditions, including a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that further development is needed to determine the nature of his claimed disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches. The original denial was based on a lack of evidence showing a disability for which compensation may be established.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for dental, mouth or jaw disorders and headache disorder due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines due to traumatic head injury was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that the disabling effects of the Veteran's headaches have exceeded the severity and frequency encompassed by the current 30 percent evaluation, on average.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of TBI is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's migraine headaches are evaluated separately, with some periods meeting the criteria for a separate compensable evaluation.