Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of 40 percent for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine is granted. The remaining issues are addressed in the remand portion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury, muscle contraction headaches, headache disorder (including migraine headaches), elbow and forearm disorder, wrist and hand disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral foot disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected VA pension benefits was denied as he failed to provide requested information necessary to determine his eligibility, and the available evidence does not document permanent and total disability due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headache disorder, diagnosed as migraine and tension headaches, had its onset during his military service. The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's diagnosed migraine headaches are related to service.

The Veteran is currently service-connected for migraine headaches, major depressive disorder, right wrist disorder, and sinusitis. The combined rating for these conditions from July 10, 2006 to May 5, 2014 is 70 percent.,Prior to July 10, 2006, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU. However, she has been unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence of a current low back disability related to service, including the Southwest Asia Theater.,There is insufficient documentation supporting a relationship between the Veteran's current headaches and service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, coronary artery disease, and migraine headaches. Service connection was also granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (likely due to a TBI), weight gain disorder, and memory loss disorder as secondary to service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for his headaches or GERD with diarrhea.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected chronic adjustment disorder and migraine headaches were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of more disabling symptoms than currently evaluated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed headaches and vertigo are not related to his active duty service, and therefore denied service connection for these conditions. The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not qualify as characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once per month.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at the maximum 50 percent, which is considered a very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is granted as there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's claim for a 50 percent rating for migraines prior to October 4, 2010 is denied. The effective date of the grant of special monthly compensation based on housebound status is set to October 4, 2010.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for vestibular dysfunction was denied as his symptoms were already compensated by the assigned schedular ratings.,The Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and thus he is still rated at 0 percent.

The Veteran's obesity is not a disability for VA compensation purposes.,There is no current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder, hip, headache, or circulatory disorder.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for service-connected headaches and associated dizzy spells, finding that the Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need to determine if the Veteran's injuries occurred in the line of duty, which could affect his service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder and posttraumatic headaches are denied. The Veteran's TBI is currently rated at 70 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic code.