Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for bronchial asthma and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not have service in Vietnam and, therefore, is not entitled to presumptive service connection for any conditions based on herbicide exposure. The claims of service connection for various disabilities are denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current migraine headaches are not etiologically related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's headaches, chest pain, and gastrointestinal disability are manifestations of his service-connected PTSD. As a result, he is not entitled to separate service connection for these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and reviewing existing records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding service connection for a headache disorder, which is currently considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine condition. The Veteran needs additional medical opinion on the etiology of his headaches and whether they are related to service or any other relevant factors.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed headaches, including whether they are related to service or a service-connected disease or injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to outstanding medical records and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after these actions are completed.

The Board has denied both service connection claims for a neck injury with residual degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and occipital frontal headaches with photophobia as secondary to the cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 12, 2011. Effective from that date, the Veteran is eligible for TDIU.

The Veteran's chronic maxillary sinusitis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Prior to September 14, 2016, the Veteran was granted an initial compensable (30 percent) rating for his migraine headaches. From September 14, 2016, the Veteran's increased rating claim for migraine headaches has been denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the claim for service connection for migraine headaches, to include migraine variants. As a result, the issue is dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective as of March 20, 2012. The Board has determined that the medical evidence supports a finding that his service-connected headache disorder renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder and headaches were denied. The claim for an earlier effective date for major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder (subclinical PTSD) was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's tinnitus is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at 30 percent since April 29, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as his headaches do not meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular disability rating of 50 percent, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran's severe and prostrating migraines have resulted in very frequent attacks that are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disorder and headaches have not been found to be service-connected. The Board determined that the current diagnoses are not related to his active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and sinus disabilities are not related to service.,There is no evidence of a chronic headache disability in service or post-service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a heart condition and a rating in excess of 30 percent for nephropathy with hypertension and edema. The TDIU claim was granted, but at a lower rating than requested.