Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of TBI and PTSD was granted. The issue of reopening the previously denied PTSD claim was also granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment, thus denying her claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection and increased rating for TBI, as well as his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder, depression with adjustment disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical degenerative disc disease. The Board also granted a TDIU rating based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a right shoulder, left shoulder, or headache disability. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis and for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected migraines were adequately addressed by the current schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent since April 9, 2013. The Board finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have residuals of a head injury caused or aggravated by his service, and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches and granted it, finding that new and material evidence had been received. The Veteran now has a favorable decision on this issue.

The Veteran's focal glomerulosclerosis with bilateral echogenic kidney is rated at 60 percent since January 27, 1995 through March 21, 2012 and 30 percent since March 22, 2012. The higher initial rating for headaches has been granted.

The Veteran's posttraumatic migraine headaches are characterized by prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months. The criteria for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disorders and headaches as secondary to a service-connected disability. The Veteran's current diagnosed conditions were not shown to be incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder, but the case is remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to assess her PTSD severity and the likely cause of her headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's seizure condition, headaches, and right ankle condition were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence indicated that these conditions existed prior to her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and did not worsen during those periods.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for cervical laceration was withdrawn by her attorney. The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to a 50 percent rating for her service-connected headache disorder, effective throughout the period under consideration.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches prior to June 20, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent. Service connection for numbness of the left side of the body was also denied as it is not related to service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 30 percent rating for posttraumatic headaches, separate 10 percent ratings for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis as of September 22, 2008, and an initial 10 percent rating for right ankle arthritis with a chronic tear of the anterior ligament. The Veteran was also granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis and headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis or chronic condition during the appeal period.