Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Veteran's gout was granted service connection, and he received a non-compensable rating for his right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's hemorrhoids were also granted service connection with a non-compensable rating. His left inguinal hernia, impotence, tendonitis of the right wrist, sinusitis with headaches, skin disease, and meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh are all rated as non-compensable. The Veteran's sleep apnea was granted service connection effective September 20, 2007, and he received a 30 percent rating for it.

The Veteran was working full-time as a drug task force police officer from January 2005 to May 21, 2011. The Board finds that the service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment during this period.

The Veteran's cluster headaches/migraines are currently rated at 50 percent effective October 26, 2015.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 30 percent effective October 26, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected heart disability, finding that a rating in excess of 30 percent is not warranted prior to April 1, 2009, and granted a 60 percent rating effective from April 1, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, fibrocystic breast disease, and has denied service connection for chronic headaches, low back disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, and neuropathy of the right foot.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a heart disability, to include as due to exposure to an herbicidal agent and as secondary to a service-connected disability is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches do not warrant a rating greater than 50 percent, and his pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for migraine headaches, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's tension headaches have been granted an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent. The issue of service connection for arthralgia of the lower extremities is pending and will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's initial claim for a headache disability was granted with an initial rating of 50 percent effective from April 2, 2004. The Board has no further jurisdiction as the appeal is moot.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine if the Veteran's alcohol abuse is caused or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing records and incomplete treatment information.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn. The Board does not have jurisdiction to consider the increased rating claim for hypertension with headaches as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in November 2015.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in September 2014, following the assignment of increased ratings for his shell fragment wounds and headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new hearing due to issues related to service connection for various conditions including heart, liver, respiratory, and dental conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate explanations and need for examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, to include as secondary to his service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination by a neurologist.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing. The issues of increased ratings and service connection are not addressed as this matter has been returned to the AOJ.