Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his psychiatric disability, preclude him from substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address his claims of service connection for right knee disability and initial compensable evaluation for cervicogenic headaches.

The Board has determined that service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted, and an initial compensable disability rating of 10 percent is granted for migraines. The Veteran's corneal scar with photophobia of the right eye does not warrant a compensable initial disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since August 28, 2014. A TDIU rating is granted from that date.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for encephalitis residuals, to include disequilibrium and headaches, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI residuals do not warrant a higher initial rating than 10 percent from October 23, 2008.

The Board found no current residuals of a nasal fracture and denied service connection for migraines and sinusitis. The Veteran's testimony regarding pre-service symptoms was not credible, and the evidence did not support a finding that his current conditions were related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unsuccessful attempts to contact the Veteran and schedule a VA examination. The Veteran's current address is unclear, and the appeal will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board found that there is no current diagnosis of concussion or migraine headaches, and thus denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for these conditions. The issue of blurred vision of the left eye was not addressed due to a lack of development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and migraine headaches are service-connected.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left ulnar nerve compression neuropathy and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The remaining issues are still under consideration.,The Veteran has multiple conditions that he is seeking service connection for, including headaches and calcaneal spurs and pes planus.

The Veteran's thoracic and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowable rating under the diagnostic criteria. The cervical spine disability is also rated at 10 percent. No other conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches as of September 15, 2016 was dismissed. The Veteran is granted a 30 percent disability rating for migraine headaches prior to that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been reopened, but the Board is remanding it to allow for further development.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The Veteran's hearing loss was rated at Level I in both ears.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep disorder, hearing loss, lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with degenerative disease L5-S1, right ankle post-operative residuals, traumatic arthritis, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, TBI, migraine headaches, loss of sense of smell, loss of sense of taste, and erectile dysfunction were denied. The effective dates for these conditions are not earlier than February 14, 2011.,The Veteran was granted SMC based on the loss of use of a creative organ with an effective date of February 14, 2011.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and dizziness, as well as his skull fracture, were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for headaches and dizziness after new evidence was submitted, but the claim for a compensable evaluation of the skull fracture and TDIU remains denied.