Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and chronic sinusitis were denied as there was no evidence of prostrating attacks or incapacitating episodes that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI).

The Board denied service connection for headaches, including migraines, finding that the current disability was not present during or immediately after service and is not etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of bilateral hearing loss, an opinion on whether the Veteran's headaches are related to service, and a determination of any in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has remanded the cases for further evaluation due to insufficient medical evidence. The Veteran is presumed to have service-connected conditions, and the claims are related back.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date prior to April 27, 2015 for service connection of a back disability is denied. The claims for left knee and right knee disabilities as well as headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, vertigo, lumbar spine disability, erectile dysfunction as secondary to lumbar spine disability, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding his bone spur condition and headaches. The claims for service connection will be considered based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected headaches was denied, and the Board remanded this issue. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is now granted as secondary to PTSD.,Service connection for stroke residuals and loss of vision are both remanded due to insufficient evidence or information.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral vision and eye disorder, insomnia, and headaches (migraines) due to Agent Orange exposure.,Service connection was denied for hypertension.

The Board denied service connection for left hip and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and service.,Service connection was also denied for migraine headaches due to lack of medical evidence linking these symptoms to service.

The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, respiratory disorders other than asthma including chronic cough, COPD and RAD, and sleep apnea syndromes are reopened. The claim of service connection for a thoracic spine disorder (secondary to right shoulder disability), a cervical spine disorder (secondary to right shoulder disability), chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to sleep apnea syndromes), and migraines (secondary to cervical spine disorder) is remanded.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his acquired psychiatric disorder, but the Board finds that there are no documents prior to March 25, 2013 that can be construed as an intent to file a claim to reopen or as a claim to reopen service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. An earlier effective date is therefore not warranted.,The Veteran also seeks higher disability ratings and entitlement to SMC for his migraines and acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board finds these issues are inextricably intertwined with the previous remanded issues, so they must be remanded as well.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting opinions on whether the Veteran's stroke was caused or aggravated by his service-connected migraines.

The Veteran's tension headaches, facial rash, and chronic fatigue are granted service connection. The Gulf War unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic headaches, positional vertigo, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus, have prevented him from securing or maintaining gainful employment prior to July 31, 2017. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for a headache condition, hypertension, and back condition due to insufficient evidence of their relationship to service-connected epilepsy. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his service-connected epilepsy.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus and unspecified anxiety disorder.,Prostate cancer, kidney condition, and bladder condition are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their relationship to exposure at Camp Lejeune.,Back disability is granted as secondary to service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease (left knee disability).,Right hip disability and left hip disability are both remanded as they may be related to service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than unspecified trauma and stressor related disorder, as well as his claim for a higher rating for cephalgia (headaches). The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of dysthymic disorder or any other acquired psychiatric disorder. For cephalgia, the Board determined that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a 30 percent or higher rating under DC 8100 due to insufficient evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks.