Migraines & headaches decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis, tinnitus, and denied service connection for residuals of wisdom teeth extraction, a back disability, headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and COPD. The claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's recurrent headaches, specifically whether medication ameliorates their effects.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of his TBI, including headaches, has been denied as he does not have any discernible residuals of the injury.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability other than her already service-connected migraine cephalgia.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, left arm condition, headaches, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder ankylosis.,There is no current diagnosis of a left arm condition or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration (SSA) records, which may contain relevant medical information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and extraschedular rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches was granted at a 10% level prior to September 8, 2014. From that date, the Veteran received an increased rating of 30%. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disability is related to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for migraines, finding that the Veteran's headaches began after his military service and were not related to any in-service injury or disease.,The Board also denied service connection for sleep apnea, concluding that there was no evidence linking it to the Veteran's asthma or exposure to burn pits during service.

The Veteran's migraines were rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for the relevant period on appeal.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and migraine headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right shoulder condition, major depressive disorder, obesity (related to OSA), and hypertension. The Veteran is granted service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee disability and right knee disability have not been linked to his active duty service.

The Veteran's left eye disability is rated at 30 percent, and his exertional headaches are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied higher ratings for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, ringworm on the right foot, and migraines has been granted. The claims for rashes are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable initial rating for migraine headaches prior to February 6, 2017 is denied. A rating of 50 percent, but no higher, for migraine headaches from February 6, 2017 is granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bruxism (claimed as a dental disorder) is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches (claimed as migraines) secondary to his service-connected hypertension, finding that there was no evidence showing a nexus between the two conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of a hand or foot, permanent impairment of both eyes, severe burn injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ankylosis of a knee or hip. Therefore, his claim for financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective October 27, 2012. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted and others not.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability. The issue of service connection for migraines, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, is remanded.