Migraines & headaches decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hepatitis C, gastrointestinal disorder, and headache disorder are not related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not establish a link between his current symptoms and an in-service stressor, despite the Veteran's fear of hostile military activity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tension headaches occurred during service and are therefore granted service connection. The issue of a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral knee conditions is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his cervical spine and headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2010. The Board has determined that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities preclude employment, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran is granted a 30 percent evaluation for post-concussive headaches with migrainous features since October 10, 2014. The effective date of this grant is set at October 23, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing, and it is noted that the appeal will be returned to the Board following the hearing.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current headache disability, including as secondary to a service-connected scar with disfigurement status post nasal laceration, is not related to service and therefore denies the claim.

The Veteran's posttraumatic tensional, muscle contraction headaches are rated at a 10 percent disability rating. The Board also granted service connection for depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed headaches and TBI are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the upper radicular group of the left upper extremity has been granted a noncompensable rating effective August 26, 2010. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating for this condition.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the superficial peroneal nerve of the left upper extremity was granted a noncompensable rating effective August 26, 2010.

The Veteran's headaches are caused by his service-connected PTSD, with alcohol abuse and drug dependence. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence supports this conclusion.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent, and the Board finds that an extraschedular evaluation is not warranted.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches, vertigo/dizziness, and tinnitus have been rated based on their specific manifestations. The appeal for increased ratings is denied as the current evaluations adequately reflect his impairment.

The Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities, which include headaches, major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, hearing loss of the right ear, status post nasal bone fracture, and a burn scar of the right forearm. As such, the criteria for TDIU have been met.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU on a schedular basis from November 29, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board grants TDIU on this basis.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at a noncompensable (0%) level since May 10, 2006. The September 2012 rating decision granted service connection for migraines and assigned a noncompensable rating, effective May 10, 2006. An interim July 2015 rating decision increased the initial rating to 10%. The Board has now granted an increased rating to 50%.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is rated at 60 percent since September 6, 2012. The criteria for a rating of 60 percent for cardiomegaly have been met from the date of claim until August 11, 2009. As of August 12, 2009, the Veteran's cardiomegaly is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board found that his symptoms warrant an increased rating to 30 percent effective from August 10, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of a cerebral contusion related to his military service and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue of an initial compensable rating for migraines remains pending.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected, but her head injury and anemia claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions. Her bilateral hearing loss and skin disorder (mycosis fungoides) were not incurred in service.