Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for residuals of heat injuries, left shoulder disability, heart disability, and migraines due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches, including as secondary to his lumbosacral spondylosis, was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of migraines related to his military service or service-connected condition.

An initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches is granted, subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. Service connection for alopecia areata is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating prior to September 16, 2019 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter for service-connected migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a retrospective opinion.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including headaches, neck disorder, knee disorders, hip disorders, foot disorders, hypertension, heart disorder, stroke residuals, hiatal hernia, sleep apnea, and gastrointestinal disorder. The Board found that the Veteran did not have these conditions during or after his military service.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia, OSA, and migraines have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran's conditions are related to his service, with some issues being granted presumptively due to an undiagnosed illness under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(1).

The Board has dismissed the claims of service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, and entitlement to TDIU as they are moot due to the appellant being fully reimbursed for the expenses she bore for the Veteran's last sickness and burial.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development to obtain outstanding medical records and for new VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disorder, right knee disability, bilateral pes planus, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, right upper extremity neuropathy, urinary dysfunction, asthma, and various knee and ankle disorders, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to April 1, 2020.

The Board has found that additional development is needed to ensure the Veteran's SSA records are obtained, as these records may contain information relating to his disabilities on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for TBI residuals and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD, finding that the evidence does not support a link between these conditions and active service or any incident of service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for sinusitis and increased rating for headaches. The appeal for service connection of varicose veins, bilateral legs (to include as secondary to service-connected plantar fasciitis) is remanded.

The Veteran's craniotomy residuals, including memory loss, were not incurred during active service or due to a service-connected condition. His bilateral hearing loss disability and migraine headaches did not have onset during active service or within one year following separation.,Tinnitus was also not shown to be related to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent prior to November 22, 2019. The Veteran is also granted a TDIU due to her service-connected disabilities prior to October 31, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety with major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to inadequate medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address whether his conditions are related to service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and headaches have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced in-service stressors leading to PTSD, and had recurrent headaches since service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines was denied, and her claim for service connection for a right hip disability was remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine disability, headache condition, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.