Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's TDIU rating was granted effective November 12, 1991. The Board found that he met the criteria for a schedular and extraschedular TDIU from September 4, 1985.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining in-patient clinical records from Oak Knoll Naval Hospital and seeking any additional relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at 30 percent since June 3, 2011. The VA examiner found that the condition has not changed significantly and does not impact his occupational functioning.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted as the evidence shows a current disability, in-service symptoms, and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's headaches are now service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left sternocleidomastoid wound.,His initial rating for the left sternocleidomastoid wound has been increased to 20 percent.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% from June 1, 2009 through September 29, 2010. Service connection for right and left knee disabilities is granted. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to September 29, 2010 is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of a rating in excess of 10 percent for tension headaches, entitlement to a compensable rating for an acquired left flat foot disability, and service connection for residuals of a right hand open wound injury. The Veteran will be provided with a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) addressing these issues.

The Veteran's residuals of fracture, left maxilla, nasal bones, and vomer with maxillary sinusitis and headaches are currently rated at 10 percent under DC 6513. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no indication of more than six non-incapacitating episodes of sinusitis per year.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability, diagnosed as COPD and bronchitis, is not related to his service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for secondary service connection for headaches and syncope to bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for Bell's palsy, global encephalitis, and vascular headaches due to new evidence. However, no compensable rating was assigned as his hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is not shown to have been manifested by limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees or less or ankylosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a disability manifested by muscle spasms, finding that there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

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 claim for service connection for headaches, including migraines and tension headaches, secondary to PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headache disability is characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, resulting in severe economic inadaptability. The Board finds that the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation are met from the date of service connection.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for bilateral pes planus and increased ratings for adjustment disorder with depressed mood, migraine headaches, post-operative right shoulder bursitis with scarring, lumbar spine strain, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board has no further jurisdiction to consider these matters.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities leave him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and post-concussive headaches were denied. The claim for PTSD was not addressed as it resulted in a rating increase prior to the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a hearing and further development. The issues of service connection for headaches, peripheral neuropathy in the left lower extremity, and reopening his previously denied psychiatric disability are still pending.