Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for headaches (claimed as head injury) is granted. The right foot skin condition issue is remanded due to conflicting opinions regarding its current status and relation to service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's initial compensable ratings for hemorrhoids and tension headaches need to be remanded due to insufficient evidence in the examination reports.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's migraines, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal for all six issues, including an increased rating for cervical spine disability, migraine headaches, and initial ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits have also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, obstructive sleep apnea, migraines, and hiatal hernia with GERD have resulted in a compensable rating of zero percent. The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 5, 2018 for Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and migraine headaches due to potential issues with the presumption of soundness, preexisting conditions, and aggravation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bruised skin condition was dismissed. The claims for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, right foot condition, left foot condition, and right ankle condition were granted. The claim for headaches is still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, tinnitus associated with TBI, and headaches related to TBI, are not considered sufficient to render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist CTS, right wrist CTS, PTSD, tension headaches, and cervical spine disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and headaches, but has found that remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including numbness, due to insufficient evidence and the need for further medical examination.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and tinnitus, finding that the evidence does not support a link to service. Headaches have been remanded due to insufficient development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for tinnitus and headaches. However, these claims are still being remanded as additional medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his service, specifically exposure to jet fuel during active duty. The Board granted service connection for the condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not involve the anatomical loss or use of both feet or one hand and one foot, nor do they cause him to be permanently bedridden or render him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board finds that SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is not warranted.

The Veteran's headaches are not service-connected as they did not have their onset in service and were not found to be related to his service.,The left calf muscle injury is not considered secondary to the service-connected right knee osteoarthritis.,Lumbar spine degenerative disc disease was also not found to be service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 16, 2019. The case is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches with a noncompensable rating effective June 24, 2020. The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine an appropriate earlier effective date and a compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether chronic headaches are related to service-connected fibromyalgia. The Veteran's complaints of headaches during active duty and Reserve service will be considered.