Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Veteran's reduction in the rating for her migraine headaches from 30 percent to noncompensable was improper, and the Board has restored the 30 percent rating effective July 5, 2016.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent, but a higher rating is denied. A TDIU is granted due to service-connected disabilities preventing the Veteran from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for migraines, claimed as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, has been dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to proceed with the claims as they are no longer valid.

The Board has granted an initial 30 percent rating for tension headaches, effective from June 15, 2017. The Veteran's condition is characterized by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, including tension headaches, are rated at a 30 percent for the period prior to August 9, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, right eyelid trichiasis, and a scar of the face due to a head injury in service are all granted. The claim for residuals of a head injury other than these conditions is remanded.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left ring finger fracture with hand arthritis is granted. The Veteran's initial rating higher than 10 percent for left LCL sprain with residual fibula fracture, bilateral hearing loss, unspecified anxiety disorder, and fatigue are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee disability, back disability, and migraine headaches. The conditions are found to be at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for his left leg disorder, right leg disorder, left hand disorder, right hand disorder, migraines, and frequent urination. The Board also ordered a new VA examination for the Veteran's back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric condition including depression, and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his hearing loss, as well as an addendum medical opinion to determine the nature, etiology, symptoms, and severity of his acquired psychiatric condition (including depression) and migraine headaches.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent for the service-connected migraine disability, effective from October 24, 2016. The decision resolves doubt in favor of the Veteran and considers some potential ameliorating effects of medication.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a maximum of 30 percent, but the Board has found that this rating is in equipoise with entitlement to such. The TBI issue and TDIU claim have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding headaches and an initial disability rating for adjustment disorder with depressed mood.

The Board has determined that more contemporaneous examinations are needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and remanded for earlier effective dates for certain grants.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed headaches, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's headaches were manifested by approximately three characteristic prostrating headache attacks over the past several months, but very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability was not shown. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for Bell's palsy due to incomplete analysis of symptomatology and etiology by the VA examiner.

Service connection for tension headaches is granted, and service connection for a respiratory disorder is denied. A total rating for PTSD with other specified depressive disorder is granted effective February 28, 2017.