Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's TBI residuals, including cognitive impairment and post-traumatic headaches, were rated at 70 percent prior to November 24, 2015.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent disability rating for his right knee disability prior to April 23, 2015 and a higher than 10 percent rating thereafter.,The Veteran is granted a 30 percent disability rating for his headaches.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for scoliosis and cervical strain with occipital neuralgia and headaches are incomplete, and additional development is required to properly assess these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension, dizziness, and headaches are related to his military service. The medical evidence supports a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant (Veteran) withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as medical opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorders and migraine headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and his symptoms are better explained by other conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea and insomnia. Therefore, service connection for CFS is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been granted a 50% rating effective October 25, 2016. The hearing loss claim has been denied.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent since the beginning of the appeal period, and he is granted a TDIU prior to September 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach and gastrointestinal disorder, to include as secondary to PTSD, and headaches with dizziness, to include as secondary to PTSD, have been denied.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed stomach and gastrointestinal disorder or headaches with dizziness.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that they more nearly approximate a finding of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks capable of producing severe economic inadaptability. Therefore, an evaluation of 50 percent is granted.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's appeal as they have been deemed untimely due to his withdrawal of claims. The claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for memory difficulties, anxiety and depression with adjustment disorder is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis and migraine headaches have been granted higher initial ratings, while the tinea pedis with onychomycosis remains at a non-compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed migraine headaches are proximately caused by and/or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD and/or allergic rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted does not support reopening of the previously denied claims for service connection for a head injury with headaches, PTSD, and left/right hand disabilities. The Veteran's back disability is also not supported by the evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and vocational rehabilitation folder. The Veteran's claims for anxiety, headaches, breathing problems, and hypertension are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for hypertension and reopening of service connection claims for muscle condition, sleep disturbance (claimed as sleep apnea), headaches, and fatigue were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Board has determined that the effective dates for service connection of degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbosacral spine; mixed headache disorder with myofascial neck pain; and traumatic brain injury are May 19, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder, headaches, and GERD as these conditions are at least in equipoise with the evidence supporting their onset during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and initial compensable rating for tension headaches were granted. The claim for a TDIU prior to March 13, 2007 was also granted.