Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's trapezius strain and cervical spine condition have been rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is not appropriate as there has never been ankylosis of the cervical spine. The tension headaches have also been rated at 30 percent, with no higher ratings available under current criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a head injury, low back disability, neck disability, fatigue (claimed as sleep apnea), hypertension, sexual dysfunction, and GI disorder has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as his blood pressure readings have consistently been below the threshold for higher ratings. The issue regarding vascular headaches is remanded due to the need for an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches were found to have been incurred in service. Service connection was granted for this condition. The status of the other issues is pending as further evaluation and evidence are needed.

The Veteran's headaches associated with his craniotomy are separately evaluated as part of the existing service-connected disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and denied entitlement to an initial compensable evaluation for tension headaches. The Veteran's TMJ was not found to meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation, but his cervical spine disability met the criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and affording the Veteran an opportunity to respond.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for neuropathy of the left upper extremity is denied as it was not caused or aggravated by a disease or injury in service and is not proximately due to, or aggravated by, a service connected disease or disability.,Service connection for a headache disorder is granted as the condition is proximately due, at least in part, to the service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to November 15, 2016. Since that date, his combined scheduler disability rating was 100%, and he is contending that he is unemployable due to a combination of these same service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-concussion syndrome with residual headaches does not more closely approximate frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, thus denying a higher initial disability rating.

The Board found no current right knee disability and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, skin disabilities of the feet and hands, a heart murmur, bilateral hearing loss, high liver enzymes, anemia, and a penile deformity.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including PTSD and major depression, were granted. The rating assigned for GERD was increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran's currently diagnosed migraine headaches were causally related to his active military service, and the Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these symptoms began during or were caused by his service.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since February 10, 1999. The TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to assess the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability, and for completion of the Veteran's VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic brain injury with posttraumatic headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records.