Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

For the period from April 28, 2009 to December 8, 2021, a 30 percent rating for migraine headache disability is granted.,A rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headache disability is denied as of December 8, 2021.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being evaluated to determine if they render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines have been denied for increased evaluations, and TDIU prior to September 23, 2012.

The Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected hypertension and PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for these headaches as secondary to those conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to unresolved issues, including service connection for a right hip disability and increased ratings for TBI and migraine headaches. The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated 10 percent disabling, while his migraines are currently rated 50 percent disabling.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left leg, right leg, and right ankle disabilities as well as chronic headaches. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during or were related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder, finding that his headaches did not manifest during or within one year of service and are not otherwise related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee tendonitis is dismissed.,Service connection for a brain disability is granted, with the benefit of doubt given in favor of the Veteran.,An initial 30 percent rating for GERD with chronic liver disease is granted for the entire period on appeal.,Prior to January 25, 2012, an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted. From December 26, 2017 and thereafter, a 50 percent rating is granted.,The Veteran's right knee scars are not painful, unstable, or have covered 144 square inches (929 sq. com.) or greater.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection are all remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's chronic headache disability is remanded for further examination and opinion. The examiner must determine if the condition is an undiagnosed illness, MUCMI, or related to service-connected sinusitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) because there is no evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of migraines was denied as the presumption of regularity has not been rebutted, and there is no evidence that VA used an incorrect address on the mailing in 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to her ability to perform many activities of daily living with assistance when needed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board found that the Veteran experiences very frequent and prolonged attacks of headache pain with severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evaluation of TBI, PTSD, and headache disorder. The AOJ is instructed to separately evaluate these conditions for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is about the reduction of his rating for tension headaches from 30 percent to noncompensable, effective January 1, 2019. The Board has decided to remand this case due to new evidence added since the last decision.

The Board has determined that there are relevant treatment records not yet obtained and remands the case for further development.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's chronic headaches prior to January 24, 2020. The criteria for this rating were met as the Veteran reported frequent and severe headaches that impacted his work ability.

The Board has found that additional evidence was submitted since the February 2018 SOC and has ordered remand to allow for readjudication of the claims with consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for hypothyroidism, TBI residuals, headaches secondary to TBI, nystagmus secondary to TBI, vertigo secondary to TBI, lower back strain, and broken teeth. The claim for service connection for anemia is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion.