Migraines & headaches decisions — 2016

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for headaches effective from November 26, 2013. The Veteran's lymphogranuloma is rated as noncompensable and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, headaches, and gynecological disorder. The psychiatric disorder claim is reconsidered.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post right knee arthroplasty and degenerative disc disease at L4, L5, and S1, render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for episodic tension headaches, bilateral hearing loss, cervical spine disability, and left foot disability are all granted. The issues of new and material evidence for the same conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at a maximum of 50 percent since July 23, 2015. His right shoulder tendonitis remains at the 10 percent rating. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for his pseudofolliculitis barbae and onychomycosis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and examination to determine the likely etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sinusitis with allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, headaches, bilateral epiphora due to allergic rhinitis and conjunctivitis, tinnitus, a tonsil disorder, and hearing loss, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and fibromyalgia were granted with effective dates of June 1, 1995. The claim for service connection for memory loss was denied due to lack of evidence within the one-year appeal period.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since March 31, 2010. The highest schedular rating available for the condition has been granted.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for head trauma, chronic headaches, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression and PTSD), and a back disorder. The Veteran submitted new evidence that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea and migraines are service-connected, with the preponderance of evidence supporting these claims. The remaining leg and foot disorders have not been fully addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to address both direct and secondary service-connection theories with regard to the Veteran's adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headaches and dizziness are related to his in-service head injury, and service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for left and right knee DJD, as well as lumbar spine DDD were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need to review additional evidence, including the Vocational Rehabilitation folder. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains inextricably intertwined with this matter and will be addressed concurrently.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging a mental health examination. The issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for headaches associated with the TBI will also be addressed.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions, including as due to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI, migraines, dizziness, and photophobia are not service-connected as they did not occur during active duty or are not related to any incident of active service.

The Veteran's residuals of a head injury, to include TBI, headaches and sinus condition were not incurred in the line of duty due to his own willful misconduct.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The appeal regarding the lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, right shoulder sprain, left ankle sprain, allergic rhinitis, and tension headaches is pending.