Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, panic disorder, depression, anxiety), and sleep apnea have been granted. The scar of the right breast is rated at 10%.,Service connection has also been established for anemia with a rating of 10%. A higher evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition has been reopened and granted. The Board finds that the preexisting bilateral foot disability was aggravated by his active duty military service.,Service connection is established for headaches, as the Veteran experienced these symptoms during service and continues to experience them since discharge.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at a maximum of 50 percent since June 26, 2009. The effective date for this rating is April 29, 2016. He does not meet the criteria for TDIU as his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal through his representative in June 2017.

The Board denied service connection for peptic ulcers, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches. The decision also found that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches and thoracolumbar strain do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, but his individual circumstances and service-connected disabilities have severely affected his ability to secure and retain substantially gainful employment. The case is REMANDED for referral to the Director, Compensation Service for extra-schedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-concussion syndrome and migraine headaches were denied. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals due to his request. The issues remain on appeal for increased ratings for migraine headaches, cervical spine strain, and thoracolumbar spine strain.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for a schedular award of TDIU based on his service-connected PTSD, and has been awarded TDIU. Additionally, he is eligible for SMC benefits due to having at least one service-connected disability rated at 100% combined with additional disabilities independently ratable at 60%. The Veteran's PTSD renders him unemployable.

The Veteran's service connection claims for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headaches have been granted. The initial disability rating for PTSD has also been increased to 100 percent effective March 7, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a traumatic brain injury or left ankle injury related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of being struck by lightning and a skin condition have been granted. The Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability and PTSD.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The Board has determined that an extraschedular evaluation is not warranted, and the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a TDIU prior to April 28, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including as secondary to asbestos exposure, is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disability, headaches, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability as secondary to the lower back disability, neck disability, and left knee disability. The appeal was dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal for the claim for entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings and reopening of service connection claims.

The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches, psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and depression NOS), and bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for pulmonary fibrosis has been granted. From November 16, 2010 through February 13, 2012, the Veteran was awarded a 20% rating for his bilateral hearing loss disability.