Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for degenerative changes of the left AC joint.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for chondromalacia patella of the right knee.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for chondromalacia patella of the left knee.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for a right calcaneal spur.,The Veteran is granted an initial 10 percent rating, but no higher, for a left calcaneal spur.,The Veteran is granted an initial compensable rating for headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for ED, hemorrhoids, or hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff partial tear, cervical strain (neck disability), and headaches are all found to be related to his active military service.

The Board has found that the Veteran is competent to manage his own funds without limitation, and therefore grants his claim for direct receipt of VA compensation benefits.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance/housebound benefits was denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's asthma was aggravated by his active military service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including Lyme disease and its residuals, as well as secondary disabilities to these conditions, have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding that any of the claimed conditions are related to active military service or are due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are distinct from his service-connected sinusitis and whether they are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headaches, residuals of back injury, and hypertension are not related to service.,Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed low back disability and denied service connection for this condition. The claim for an initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches is pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nephrolithiasis has been reopened and granted.,A 100 percent rating for PTSD is assigned, effective May 30, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for major depressive disorder is being remanded due to a need for additional medical opinion regarding when the condition may have manifested prior to February 13, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his cervical and thoracolumbar spine, left ankle arthritis with pain on motion, hypertension, and posttraumatic headaches were denied. The effective dates for the 20 percent ratings assigned to these conditions have been confirmed.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since August 17, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise with respect to whether the Veteran has experienced very frequent and prolonged migraine headaches that have been completely prostrating and likely productive of severe economic inadaptability throughout the entire appellate period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are not of such severity to preclude substantially gainful employment prior to August 6, 2010.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches, as well as to ensure all relevant development has been completed.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, headaches, and bilateral hand numbness. The right hip or lower extremity problem is not supported by the evidence.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral pes planus, bilateral ankle strain, a psychiatric disorder (likely PTSD), lumbar strain, hypertension, and migraines. The issues have been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.