Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the disability ratings and service connection for various conditions. The Board dismissed these claims as per the appellant's request.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for tension and post-traumatic migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are at least as likely as not related to in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, sinusitis, and headaches due to insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran is required to undergo further VA examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for post-concussive headaches with dizziness have been denied, as the highest level of evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes is 50 percent. The separate rating for Meniere's syndrome has also been denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, low back disability, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica are all found to be service-connected. The traumatic brain injury residuals claim is denied.

The Veteran's stomach disability, headaches, and TBI residuals have been granted service connection.,A compensable rating for the head scar has not been met.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU for the period from September 27, 2019 to July 20, 2020 due to his service-connected disabilities.,From July 21, 2020 onwards, the Veteran's combined rating of 70% allowed him to receive a TDIU without needing to prove unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for secondary service connection to his bilateral hearing loss are remanded due to the complexity and need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that referral to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service is warranted for extraschedular TDIU consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of recent VA medical records, and the need to consider whether the Veteran's symptoms affect his ability to work.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is dismissed as he meets the schedular criteria for a total disability rating due to his service-connected disabilities, but SMC under 38 U.S.C. 1114(s) cannot be awarded based on multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is granted service connection, but the issue of service connection for dizziness is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability, left knee disability, gastrointestinal disability (including acid reflux), headache disability, and neurological disabilities of both upper extremities due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn or are being remanded due to various issues, including lack of evidence linking the conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for patent foramen ovale (PFO) as it is a congenital defect that has not resulted in additional disability not already service-connected due to superimposed disease or injury during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to May 29, 2013. Therefore, the claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn for high cholesterol, an increased rating for tinnitus, and earlier effective dates for hearing loss and tinnitus. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, left and right ankle disorders, headaches, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50% effective from the date of the decision. The initial rating for depression is granted at 50%, but denied in excess of that level after March 9, 2017.