Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average of once a month over the last several months, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including a formal finding of exposure to hazardous chemicals during service and obtaining any outstanding VA or private treatment records. A new VA examination will be scheduled to determine if the Veteran's sinus/respiratory disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, whether it was aggravated by service, and if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, sinus condition, HTN, gastrointestinal disorder, residuals of a hysterectomy, skin condition, headaches, bilateral CTS, and psychiatric disorder are all service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches are not related to his military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's muscle contraction headaches were rated at 30% prior to March 9, 2011 and at 50% thereafter. The rating for residuals of arthroplasty of the left second toe is unknown.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his nerve condition with headaches is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for any of the claimed conditions and therefore, service connection cannot be granted.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for headaches, memory loss, and fatigue as an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. The Veteran's right shoulder scar is currently rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's keratoconus are characterized by corrected vision of 20/25 in the right eye and 20/20 in the left eye with full field of vision bilaterally.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to determine the current severity of his service-connected PTSD, migraines, and TBI. The claim for a bilateral foot condition will also be addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a left knee disability, right knee disability, or sleep apnea-hypopnea that began during his active duty service. The Veteran's vertigo and migraines are also denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence is against a finding of current disabilities related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding her migraines, depression, vertigo, and low back disability.

The Veteran's headaches are etiologically related to her active duty service and the claim for service connection is granted. The Board finds insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the thoracolumbar disability and service, thus remanding this issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since she met the schedular requirements for TDIU consideration on November 29, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance at a higher level of care, finding that he did not meet the criteria for anatomical loss or use of extremities as defined by 38 C.F.R. § 3.350(f).

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU has been remanded due to the inextricability of issues with SMC eligibility. The Board will consider entitlement on an extra-schedular basis under special provisions and may also address SMC if applicable.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's left trigeminal nerve shrapnel wound, effective July 14, 2010. The claim for headaches remains at noncompensable.

The Veteran's heart disability is currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board finds that his current METs level of 3-5 does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 7005 or 7017.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as her bipolar disability has been rated at 100% since March 5, 2015.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected photophobia with residual headaches, which has rendered him unemployable.