Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for DDD and DJD of the cervical spine, as there is no evidence linking his current disability to his period of active duty. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 30 percent, and his TBI-related conditions are rated appropriately based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a cervical spine disorder, TMJ syndrome, or post-traumatic headaches (residuals of TBI) that are etiologically related to her active military service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to address his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased disability rating for migraine headaches was granted with a 50% rating effective February 2, 2007. The claim for TDIU was also granted with an effective date of February 5, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his migraine headaches and heat injury residuals, have been granted. He is now rated at 70% for the latter condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is not related to service, and his headaches are currently rated at 10 percent. The claim for increased rating of headaches is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for IBS, GERD, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The claim for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. Service connection has also been established for a low back disability and a headache disability (to include as due to 8th nerve damage).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The issues of service connection for headaches, seizure disorder, cardiac arrhythmia, and gastrointestinal problems are pending.

The Veteran's spouse requires assistance with daily activities and is unable to dress or undress herself, requiring regular aid and attendance. The case has been remanded for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and an initial compensable rating for headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting higher ratings under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for undiagnosed illness involving multiple symptoms is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues have therefore been dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD warrants an initial increased disability rating of 50 percent for the period prior to December 1, 2010. For the period from December 1, 2010, the criteria for a higher disability rating are not met. The Veteran is also entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA psychiatric examination to determine her current psychiatric diagnosis and its etiology. The TDIU claim is deferred pending resolution of the acquired psychiatric disorder claim.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for recurrent tension headaches has been granted, and he is now receiving a 30 percent disability rating. His TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for PTSD and headaches has been denied by the Board.

The Veteran's migraines are found to have had their onset during his active service, and the Board finds that service connection for migraines is warranted.

The Veteran's headaches are not related to service, and the issue of an increased extraschedular rating for PTSD is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and left knee disability are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.