Migraines & headaches decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service connection claims for back disability, eye disability, cervical spine disability and right ankle disability were denied. The claim for headaches was granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. His gastritis is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claims for service connection for headaches and an eye disability (other than senile cataracts). The underlying basis of the original denial, lack of inservice treatment, remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for TBI claimed as brain trauma with stroke, migraine headaches, cervical spine disorder, upper arm neuropathy and radiculopathy, low back disorder, and GERD. The Veteran's disabilities were not shown in service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's service.,The Board found that there was no evidence of a TBI during service and provided a negative nexus opinion.

The Board found that the Veteran's flat feet were not aggravated by service and denied his claims for service connection for acute back pain, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right knee arthralgia, left knee arthralgia, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, and tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and an opinion regarding his claimed TBI with headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI is found to cause his current migraine headaches. The effective date for the award of service connection for TBI has been set at April 9, 2013.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include a bipolar disorder, and to include as secondary to service-connected migraine headaches; entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis; and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) by reason of being housebound. As such, the Board must dismiss these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea and granted it. The claim for service connection for headaches was denied.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are manifested by prostrating attacks occurring at least once a month over the last several months, warranting a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a headache disability, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent prior to September 20, 2017, and the appeal is granted for this period. After September 20, 2017, the Veteran received the maximum schedular rating allowed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are not related to his service, including any head trauma he experienced during deployment. The VA physician provided an opinion stating it is less likely than not that the Veteran's headaches are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for frostbite of the hands and feet, as well as his claim for an extraschedular rating, were denied. His claim for migraine headaches was granted with a 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 40 percent for residuals of head injury, and separately assigned ratings of 10 percent for headaches, 30 percent for peripheral vestibular disorder, and 10 percent for tinnitus.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected headaches was denied. The Board found that prior to July 24, 2017, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months. From July 24, 2017 forward, he met the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to January 7, 2011.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed residuals of facial trauma, headaches, narcolepsy, sleep apnea, and allergic rhinitis are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from February 25, 2006 to July 22, 2008 rendered him unemployable due to his headaches and sinusitis.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are related to active service.,The Veteran's preexisting lumbar spine disorder was not aggravated by active duty service. The cervical, knee, hip, stomach, headache, and right shoulder disorders were not shown in service or for many years thereafter.