Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion to address whether each of the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his active service, and if not, whether they represent undiagnosed illnesses or medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illnesses. The claims will be re-adjudicated based on this new information.

The Board has directed that the Veteran's employment records be obtained to determine if they impact his disability rating for migraine headaches. The appeal is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of heat exposure (headaches) are granted. The earlier effective date for PTSD with depression is granted, and the TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 30 percent since July 10, 2008, which is the effective date of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, including as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, are not established by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's headaches with diminished sensation in the right parietal region, residual to TBI (formerly a skull fracture), were manifested by frequent completely prostrating attacks, productive of severe economic inadaptability. The scheduler criteria are adequate to evaluate the condition at all pertinent points.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches, which were previously rated as non-compensable, warranted a 30 percent rating effective from August 5, 2014. The Board concluded that his headaches occurred on an average of once a month over several months and did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are rated at 40 percent, effective from November 20, 2009. The claim for service connection for a left eye disability and the initial rating for posttraumatic headaches were granted, while the TDIU prior to November 1, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, to include as secondary to the service-connected TMJ disability, is pending. The Board finds that his claim of a dental disability due to trauma for compensation purposes has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn. The Board granted a TDIU from February 12, 2014, based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is remanded to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing regarding his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a tremor disability and granted a 50% rating for his migraine headaches. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service.,The Veteran's dental condition claim has been consolidated with other issues and the Board finds that he did not have any bone loss due to periodontal disease during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his service-connected allergic rhino-sinusitis and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected pes planus caused his current arthritis in his ankles, knees, right hip, and low back. The neck disability is not considered secondary to the service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various disabilities, and the case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his acne vulgaris, deviated septum, and residuals of a fractured right fourth finger.

The Veteran's tension headaches were productive of completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability from June 10, 2011 through January 4, 2012. Prior to that date, the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the representative requested to withdraw all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the appellant's SSA records, military dependent treatment records, and medical opinions. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective February 4, 2015. The cervical spine disability is rated at 50 percent effective that date.