Migraines & headaches decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided for the TBI claim is inadequate and remanded to provide an addendum opinion. The same applies to the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, headaches, and tinnitus as they are inextricably intertwined with the TBI claim.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for migraines.

The Veteran's maximum disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches has been granted, as his headaches are characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of a memory disorder. The Veteran's migraines are granted with a 50% rating, effective from initial entitlement. Service connection for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis and it is not at least as likely as not related to in-service events or diseases.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are manifested by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months, and the Board has granted a 30 percent rating for this condition, effective February 8, 2011 to September 3, 2015.

The Board has dismissed the claim of service connection for diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as it is related to in-service noise exposure. The claims for service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for recurrent headaches and left ankle strain due to insufficient examination findings.,Service connection is denied for bilateral foot disability, chronic ear infections, and recurrent headaches.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis. The claim for service connection for OSA, also secondary to service-connected allergic rhinitis, is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches is remanded due to incomplete records. The VA needs to obtain additional treatment records, including the full June 2018 DBQ and private treatment from Dr. M. C.

The Veteran's service connection claim for diverticulitis is granted. The Veteran's rating for migraines is increased to 50 percent, effective from the date of the VA examination in December 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headaches is remanded, and the issue of entitlement to TDIU is also on appeal. The RO should obtain any outstanding VA treatment records, request the Veteran to fill out an application for TDIU, schedule him for a VA examination, and readjudicate both claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a headache disorder due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The Veteran is required to provide updated treatment records, and he will be scheduled for VA examinations to address his service connection and increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Raynaud's disease and cluster headaches (claimed as migraines) have been reopened. The Board has ordered a remand to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions, including whether they are related to his service-connected ischemic heart disease or herbicide agent exposure.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and UTSRD, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Veteran's post-service complaints were decades after his separation from active duty.,Service connection was also denied for headaches, as there is no evidence they began during or within one year after service, nor are they linked to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for posttraumatic headaches and a rating in excess of 10 percent for traumatic brain injury were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for these ratings, as the Veteran did not have characteristic prostrating attacks or severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions and exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia. The issues of service connection for generalized joint pain and sleep apnea are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a headache disorder has been reopened. The Board finds new and material evidence to support the reopening of this claim, but remands the case for further examination and opinion regarding both stroke and headache disorders.

The Veteran was granted a 50% rating for migraine headaches from August 16, 2013. Prior to that date, the Veteran's migraines were not considered severe enough to warrant any compensation.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches is denied.,A separate rating of 10 percent for traumatic brain injury is granted.,An effective date of May 6, 2016, but not earlier, for the increased rating of 30 percent for migraine headaches is granted.