Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for headaches due to undiagnosed illness and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an increased rating or entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his in-service head injury, and he meets the service requirements for nonservice-connected pension due to being discharged from active duty during wartime due to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to the difficulty of traveling to the VA Central Office. The issues include seeking service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, and tuberculosis (claimed as positive PPD test), as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at the highest available rating of 50 percent, as they more nearly approximate manifestations of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, and is unemployable as a result of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headache disorder (claimed as migraines) is related to his service and has granted this claim.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from January 6, 2014 to the present.,The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new VA examination and medical opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability and its impact on his ability to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches, COPD and a sleep disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board found new and material evidence for the claims of service connection for TBI, traumatic dizziness, memory loss, and balance problems. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's tension headaches are related to his military service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical strain were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of very frequent, prostrating attacks or ankylosis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted. The Veteran's traumatic arthritis of the right ankle is currently rated at 20 percent and a higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and provide the necessary examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and an increased rating for CFS have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct, secondary, or presumptive service connection for migraine headaches. For CFS, the Board determined that the current ratings were appropriate based on the severity of symptoms prior to June 29, 2015.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed headache and short-term memory loss disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service, including exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the initial ratings for cervical spine strain and migraine headaches, thus these issues are dismissed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, back, and left knee disabilities. The Veteran's tension headaches are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran is seeking a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) for the period prior to October 17, 2016. The Board has determined that this issue must be referred to the VA Under Secretary for Benefits or the VA Director of Compensation and Pension Service for adjudication under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).,The Veteran is also seeking a TDIU for the period from October 17, 2016. The combined schedular disability rating for all service-connected disabilities during this period does not meet the minimum combined rating criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) for eligibility for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining SSA records, VA medical records, and a new examination.