Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been granted. The Board has also remanded the issues of initial ratings for left foot arthritis and right ankle sprain.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, an undiagnosed illness (likely Gulf War syndrome), leg cramps (lower extremity pain), and headaches due to insufficient evidence or need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, as well as migraine headaches. The evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions originated during active service.

The Board has remanded the cases regarding service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and a rating in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches due to new evidence and worsening symptoms.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of neck disability and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for a rating increase for tension headaches was granted with a 30% disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating of infectious hepatitis was denied. The claims for service connection for anemia, stomach problems (gastroesophageal reflux disease and abdominal hole with damage/scarred liver), gastritis, hiatal hernia, rectum pain/leakage, and headaches were all denied as secondary to service-connected hepatitis. The claim for service connection for pes planus was remanded.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for migraines, a back disorder, and bilateral CTS. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion with memory loss and headaches have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The Board has also remanded his case for further examination and opinion regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.,A VA examiner is needed to determine if the Veteran's current diagnoses of memory loss, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and irritability are related to his in-service concussion with minor trauma.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at a noncompensable disability rating, but no more. A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy since August 8, 2019 is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability evaluation for temporomandibular joint disorder, status post left mandibular fracture, was withdrawn. The claim for an initial maximum schedular disability evaluation of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. The issues of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, low back, and neck disorders are remanded.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's headaches are causally related to his active service, and therefore grants entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic headaches, right and left upper extremity radiculopathies, and degenerative lumbar disc disease L4-L5 with thoracolumbar stenosis noted at L5-S1 are denied.,For the period prior to October 5, 2017, a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic headaches is not warranted. The Veteran's reported history and medical evidence do not support an increased rating.,From October 5, 2017 onwards, ratings in excess of 30 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy are not warranted due to the lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Veteran's symptoms have been mild or moderate.,For the period prior to October 5, 2017, ratings in excess of 0 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy are not warranted due to the lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Veteran's symptoms have been mild or moderate.,For the period prior to October 5, 2017, ratings in excess of 20 percent for degenerative lumbar disc disease L4-L5 with thoracolumbar stenosis noted at L5-S1 are not warranted due to the lack of severe incomplete paralysis. The Veteran's symptoms have been mild or moderate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified headaches, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew all his appeals, including those related to PTSD, MDD, sleep apnea, left shoulder strain, recurrent headaches, hypertension, DDD of the lumbar spine, cervical DDD, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and a heart condition.

The appeal is granted as the character of the Veteran's discharge is not a bar to VA benefits for claims based on the period of service from November 12, 2002, to November 11, 2006.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including low back, right ankle, right wrist, pubic ramus fracture residuals, left foot, head injury residuals, and migraine headaches, finding that the in-service injuries were not incurred in line of duty due to the Veteran's alcohol intoxication.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left eye disorder, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches have been granted. Service connection is established for tinnitus due to exposure to noise during service, but not for the other conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for a compensable disability rating prior to April 21, 2017, and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches since April 21, 2017. The Veteran's claim is being returned to the AOJ for review of additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disorder and remanded other issues including asthma, GERD, migraine headaches, and insomnia. The Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, headaches, and blurred vision as these conditions are not shown to have been incurred or aggravated by active military service.