Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's spouse does not require regular aid and attendance of another, as evidenced by her ability to manage daily tasks such as cooking meals at home.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a headache disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals prior to the promulgation of an appellate decision.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates and initial ratings were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew her appeals, and service connection was granted for tinnitus.

The Veteran's spouse, L.H., is the caregiver and has been providing personal care services for him. The Board found that participation in the PCAFC would significantly enhance his ability to live safely at home. However, the claim was remanded due to incomplete caregiver training and assessment.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, cervical spine strain, headaches, and hemorrhoids have been granted service connection. The psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder with depression) has not been granted service connection.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and vision disability, to include blurry vision, are granted as service connected.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to a failure to make reasonable efforts to obtain VA treatment records or relevant federal or private treatment records, and provided an inadequate VA examination or opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the initial grant of service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) is denied. The Board found that the September 1997 claim did not reasonably encompass a claim for CAD, and therefore, VA did not receive a valid claim prior to August 31, 2010.

The Board has decided to readjudicate the claim of service connection for headaches because new and relevant evidence has been submitted.

The Board has granted readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches, shoulder disorders, sleep apnea, insomnia, hydrocephalus, cellulitis, atrial fibrillation, memory loss, and major depression. The evidence submitted is considered new and relevant to these claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headaches and vertigo due to a lack of VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, bruxism, and headaches. The appeal is remanded for further examination regarding residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) other than headaches and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for vaginal disability has been withdrawn.,New and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for headaches. Service connection is granted.,Service connection for a sinus condition is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted, with the opinion suggesting that the Veteran's current mental health disability may be related to service-connected PTSD.,The relationship between TMJ and PTSD is unclear; further examination is needed to determine if TMJ is secondary to PTSD.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and clarification of medical opinions regarding the Veteran's symptoms, including blisters, swelling and bruising of the legs, chronic joint pain, muscle aches, headaches, and difficulty breathing. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional review.

Service connection for hypertension associated with herbicide exposure is granted.,Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent bilateral eye disability is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent heart disability (including atrial fibrillation and irregular heartbeat) is granted.,Service connection for a recurrent headache disability is granted.,Service connection for gout is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal to revise the October 2017 rating decision that granted an effective date of July 21, 2014, for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran argued that he should have been awarded TDIU earlier based on his service-connected conditions and inability to work.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has requested the withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Board has restored the Veteran's disability rating for migraine headaches from 30 percent to 50 percent, effective November 19, 2019.