Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50% due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Veteran's right eye iritis is currently assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new VA examination of his undiagnosed illness. The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's heart condition, migraine headaches, and erectile dysfunction were not caused by VA treatment or medication. The evidence did not support a finding of additional disability resulting from carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the highest schedular evaluation of 50 percent, and he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches, effective from March 29, 2005. The Veteran's low back disability was not addressed in the decision.

For the period from February 5, 2008 through March 24, 2010, the Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral hearing loss disability. The Board granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted it. The issues of service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee, left knee, right ankle disabilities, and migraine headaches are all addressed on remand.

The Veteran's PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder resulted in significant occupational and social impairment from November 27, 2007 to July 19, 2009. From July 20, 2009 to November 24, 2013, the disability prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been withdrawn.,An effective date of June 3, 1972, but no earlier, has been granted for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches, a dizziness / balance disorder, and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new medical opinion and reviewing all relevant records.

The Veteran's hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and headache disabilities are found to be service-connected.

The Board has granted the Veteran increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including headaches with dizziness, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's combined disability rating is now 100 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, with no higher rating possible under the applicable diagnostic codes.,For her lumbosacral spine disability, the current ratings are insufficient to reflect the severity of her condition. The Veteran has a combined range of motion less than 120 degrees and muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or kyphosis.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable diagnostic codes.,Her right lower extremity radiculopathy also warrants a rating of 20 percent based on the severity of her symptoms and functional impairment.,For her headaches, the current ratings are insufficient to reflect the severity of her condition. The Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tensional headaches do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent. The evidence does not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks producing severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability was denied as there is no evidence of such during service or within one year post-service.,Service connection for partial amputation of the left index finger was also denied, with the condition noted at service entrance and not aggravated by any in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of coccidioides or a headache disability, and the Board finds that service connection cannot be granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new examination to determine if he is permanently and totally disabled.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral eye disorder, headache disorder, prostate cancer, and left hand scar. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation during service or establish continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his back disability, as well as TDIU. The issues are still pending.