Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral knee disability, DM, eye and foot disabilities, kidney disease, peripheral neuropathy, headaches, erectile dysfunction, and depression. The decision found no new evidence to reopen the claim of a bilateral knee disability, that DM was not related to active service, and that none of the other conditions were related to active service or secondary to DM.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at the highest available rating of 50% since they are characterized by very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment since November 17, 2015, but did not prevent him from obtaining substantially gainful employment prior to that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tension headaches and Crohn's disease were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a rating in excess of the current assigned percentages.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected disabilities and his acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD does not result in total occupational and social impairment, and his service-connected disabilities do not make him unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment. Therefore, the Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for PTSD or TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's service connection for a headache disorder and nasal fracture has been granted. The right ankle sprain claim is partially granted with an initial rating of 10 percent effective August 13, 2010.

The Board has determined that further development is needed before the Veteran's claims may be adjudicated, including obtaining VA examinations and records to determine the etiology of his psychiatric disorders, headaches, and hypertension.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, and dizziness. The weight of the evidence does not show any diagnosed residuals of a TBI.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TBI with residuals of tension headaches and post concussive syndrome was denied as there was no evidence of clear and unmistakable error in the April 1982 or August 2004 rating decisions, nor did the May 2010 claim indicate a desire to file such a claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, hypertension, and gastrointestinal disorder are secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for increased SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for receiving SMC at the maximum rate under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(o).

The Board has granted a maximum 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches and has also granted entitlement to Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been withdrawn.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board found that the reduction in rating for bilateral hearing loss from 20 percent to 10 percent was not proper due to a lack of improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches, to include migraines, are related to his active duty service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment for the entire appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's in-service IED exposure and his service-connected headaches, memory loss, or cognitive impairment. The claims will be reconsidered based on the new examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-concussion headaches are related to service, but his low back disorder is not. The headaches have been found to be due to a head injury in service, while the low back disorder is attributed to normal aging and wear and tear.