Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's headaches, residual of TBI, are currently rated at 50 percent disabling prior to November 4, 2016, and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's residuals of TBI have been rated as 10 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for headaches and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether his headache disability is secondary to service-connected PTSD or rhinitis.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a head injury and concussion related to his military service, and his migraine headaches are not related to his nonservice-connected residuals of a head injury and concussion.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease, left foot neuropathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are service-connected. The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability, separate ratings for the left foot and right leg conditions, and denied TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depression mood, chronic, and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected TBI with headaches and vertigo warrants a 50 percent disability rating, effective April 8, 2013. Additionally, the Board grants a separate 10 percent disability rating for vertigo under DC 6204.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining more recent VA treatment records and private medical records. The case will also be readjudicated after the development is completed.

The Board has determined that the AOJ did not substantially comply with its November 2014 remand directives and thus, a new VA examination is necessary. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected chronic headaches disability is being REMANDED.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disorder, headache disorder, and bladder disorder were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an exceptional or unusual disability picture warranting extra-schedular consideration for the bladder disorder, and that there was no indication of qualifying chronic disabilities for the other conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for mood disorder and migraine headaches, effective May 11, 2006. The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to his service-connected psychiatric disabilities and migraines, which limit him to no more than marginal employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination for migraine headaches and the need for translation of Spanish documents in the claims file.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected headaches disability, effective from November 8, 2011. The Veteran's headaches are characterized by prostrating attacks occurring on average at least once per month.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. No claims have been decided.

The Board has remanded all claims due to the Veteran's request for additional treatment records from 1984 and 1985, which could pertain to his current claims on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for a headache disorder, psychiatric disorder (PTSD), heart disorder, skin disorder, and right knee disorder are still under consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore grants entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected sinusitis, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on incapacitating episodes or non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis.

The Veteran's post-traumatic migraine headaches are rated at a 30 percent rating, and his PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating.