Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or for adaptive equipment only, is denied as he does not meet the criteria for 'permanent loss of use of one or both feet' within the context of 38 C.F.R. § 3.808.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran engaged in combat with the enemy and sustained head injuries during service. The Board also found that chronic symptoms of migraine were manifested during service, warranting presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for CAD, hypertension, neck disability, back disability, and residuals of a head injury due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or any presumptive exposure.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of CFS, and thus the Veteran does not meet the threshold element for service connection. As a result, the claim for service connection for CFS was denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are productive of frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, meeting the criteria for a 50% rating.

The VA determined that the Veteran's migraines do not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating of more than 30 percent, as they are characterized by frequent but not severe prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, migraines, and other conditions, have rendered him in need of aid and attendance. He is therefore granted special monthly compensation based on a demonstrated need for such assistance.

The Board found that the appellant's current GERD is not causally related to his active service or any incident therein, and denied both claims of entitlement to service connection for GERD and a disability manifested by vertigo, headaches, and dizziness.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and thus grants entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, acid reflux, and headaches. The evidence submitted is sufficient to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches caused daily, painful headaches which prevented him from getting out of bed and were totally incapacitating 3-4 times per week. The Board has determined that these symptoms most closely approximate a 50 percent rating for the disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted. Service connection has been established for depression, headaches, and left rib injury residuals.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% prior to February 24, 2012 and at 70% from that date onwards. The effective date for his TDIU remains April 24, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic headaches warrant a staged rating of 10 percent prior to September 27, 2012 and 50 percent from that date.,The Veteran is granted TDIU effective May 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for her migraine headaches was denied. The Veteran is currently assigned a 30 percent rating for TMJ dysfunction since February 21, 2012.,The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for TMJ dysfunction prior to March 10, 2016 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for a new examination.

The Veteran's headaches associated with left trapezius strain with degenerative joint disease were initially rated at 30 percent prior to June 25, 2012. The Board has now granted a 50 percent rating effective from that date on an extraschedular basis due to the Veteran's inability to work effectively.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, necessitating the grant of SMC at the aid and attendance rate.