Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's muscle injury to the calf muscles is granted as secondary to his service-connected left tibia disability. The initial rating for PTSD is granted at 70 percent, effective November 19, 2007.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also requested to authorize release of relevant non-VA treatment records from Dr. Kumar.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened, and the Board has found new and material evidence to support reopening. Service connection is granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's left shoulder, back, migraine and tension headaches, cervical strain, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection.,Further evaluations are needed for the Veteran's claimed bilateral arm disability other than carpal tunnel syndrome (including arthritis) and bilateral hip disability (including arthritis), as well as an initial rating higher than 20 percent for right shoulder A/C separation.

The Veteran's uterine fibroids and headaches have been granted ratings, while the umbilical hernia and right shoulder rotator cuff tear remain under review.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that they do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,For his right knee disability, the Veteran is seeking an increased rating. The current rating of 10 percent does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn all her appeals, including the ones related to hypertension, diabetes mellitus, bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, shin splints, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of in-service back pain, but did not find a direct link between the current back disorder and service. For the head disorder, the Board found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus with service.

The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to November 3, 2015 and 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran's right knee sprain is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's left knee strain is rated as 20 percent disabling prior to November 4, 2021 and 30 percent thereafter. The Veteran's left knee instability is rated as 20 percent disabling. The Veteran's right knee instability is rated as 10 percent disabling. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) is currently rated as 40 percent disabling. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated as 20 percent disabling from November 4, 2021 and 30 percent disabling prior to that date. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 50 percent disabling from November 4, 2021.,The Veteran's left hip disability has been rated based on the extent of limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for migraine headaches and fatigue due to service-connected disabilities, as well as insomnia secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are being reviewed by VA clinicians to determine if they are related to service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

Service connection for migraines is granted, and the Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each since September 8, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and bilateral open angle glaucoma, do not prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for migraine headaches, sinusitis, sleep apnea, bilateral knee disability, and neck disability due to the Veteran's contention that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and headaches has been denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or in-service stressors.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's headaches, status post TBI, are now rated at 50 percent effective October 14, 2020. The restoration of the 30 percent rating for his headaches is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder due to potential errors in duty-to-assist.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is denied as the evidence does not show that his migraines meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating of over 30 percent.,The Veteran's initial rating for PTSD is denied as the evidence does not show that his PTSD meets or approximates the criteria for a disability rating of over 50 percent. The Veteran also received a TDIU effective March 4, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and remanded the issues of service connection for fractured mandible, respiratory condition, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity. The rating for fractured mandible remains unchanged as it is currently noncompensable.

The Veteran's right little finger strain is granted a noncompensable disability rating.,Service connection for the back disability is granted, with no specific assigned disability rating or effective date provided.

The Veteran's headaches, rated at 50 percent since December 20, 2001, are found to be productive of severe economic inadaptability and very frequent attacks. The rating is granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the payment of monetary benefits.