Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lumbar spine disability, right knee strain, left knee strain, and tinnitus, have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 11, 2011. Effective from August 11, 2011, the Veteran is granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion on the functional effects of her service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative joint disease and headaches are service-connected.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, diagnosed as onychomycosis of the toenails and tinea pedis with possible bacterial infection, is related to service.,The Veteran has a history of COPD that began in service and is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for right eye disability, left eye disability, and residuals of head injury including TBI and headache. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any headache disability or disabilities present, including cluster headaches. The appellant's claim will be remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD and migraine headaches are service-connected, with all relevant symptoms being encompassed in these diagnoses.

The Board has granted a 30 percent initial rating for the Veteran's headaches associated with diplopia of the right eye, finding that the Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity disorder, finding that her current condition is not related to her period of active duty. The remaining issues on appeal are pending and will require further development as per the April 2015 remand directives.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for migraine headaches. The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be secondary to her service-connected anoxic encephalopathy.

The Board has decided to remand several issues for further development and examination, including those related to TMJ, hypothyroidism, TBI with headaches, right foot disability, left ankle disability, and deviated nasal septum.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his atypical ear pain with tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has already been assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome have resulted in very frequent prostrating attacks, causing severe economic inadaptability prior to July 8, 2014. The Board granted a TDIU effective July 8, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left knee disability and migraines did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's migraine headache disorder as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for left and right knee disabilities, headaches, stomach disability, and sleep apnea due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of this case as he is no longer alive.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for low back disability, and service connection is granted. For headaches, a noncompensable rating remains as there are no characteristic prostrating attacks of migraines averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of low back disability, bilateral knee disability or headaches that were incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of record showing such disabilities during active duty service and no competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.