Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current headache disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to his active duty. The examiner concluded it was less likely than not that the Veteran's migraine headache disorder was incurred in or caused by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disability and tension headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and opinions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have resulted in characteristic prostrating attacks that occur at least once per month, warranting a 30 percent disability rating. The evidence does not support an interpretation of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks or severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, lung disorder, or headaches. The Veteran did not attend scheduled VA examinations and failed to provide good cause for his absence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and headache disorder are both being evaluated based on their merits rather than presumptive exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's incarceration, which has hampered VA's duty to assist. The Veteran seeks service connection for various conditions including head injury, depression, hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, PTSD, substance abuse, genital herpes, hepatitis C, and joint and muscle pain.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection for a skin disorder, degenerative bilateral foot problems, and headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches with vertigo and cervical strain have been rated, but the effectiveness of these ratings is unclear due to mixed results. The cervical spine disability has not changed in rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, back, and headache disorders. The case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and entitlement to SMC based on need for aid and attendance/housebound status. The Veteran was found not to have a disability that required regular aid and assistance or to be permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis, status post tibial osteotomy, was granted a 30 percent rating prior to May 23, 2009. Additionally, separate ratings of 20 percent for limitation of flexion and 20 percent for limitation of extension were granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his non-service connected conditions and substance abuse impact his ability to work. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for post-traumatic headaches and right knee musculoligamentous strain was denied. The Board found that the maximum schedular rating for posttraumatic headaches is 50 percent, which aligns with the current evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability, a higher rating for tension headaches, and TDIU due to additional development. The Veteran is scheduled for a hearing before the Board via live videoconference.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU rating since May 20, 2009 and again after April 1, 2012.,Prior to May 20, 2009, the Veteran's chronic headaches are rated as 50 percent disabling.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending appeals, including those for increased rating for PTSD, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, Gulf War Syndrome-related conditions (including a bilateral knee condition, headaches, joint pain, a neurologic disorder, and a skin rash), and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including depression), and a higher evaluation for spontaneous pneumothorax were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial evaluation and an earlier effective date for PTSD with insomnia was denied. The Board found that the criteria for total occupational and social impairment were not met, and thus, no higher rating could be assigned.

The Veteran does not have a low back disability, cervical spine disability, left arm or left hand disability (including numbness), or headaches that were caused by his service. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against these claims.