Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's daily and constant tension headaches, combined with his less frequent but more severe migraine headaches, are capable of producing severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the service-connected migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including the evaluation of DJD of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine, separate ratings for radiculopathy, service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and TDIU. The effective date issue remains pending.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including adjustment disorder, is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine/tension headaches is granted. The issue of service connection for myopic astigmatism, spot on left retina (claimed as vision) is remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is remanded for extraschedular consideration.,The Veteran's claims for bilateral chronic open angle glaucoma with bilateral nodular scleritis, MDD, depression (claimed as insomnia), bronchitis, migraines, cervical and lumbar back conditions, uterine fibroids, hysterectomy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, right ankle condition, and DM are remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's claims for MDD, depression (claimed as insomnia), migraines, cervical and lumbar back conditions, uterine fibroids, hysterectomy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, right ankle condition, and DM are remanded for VA examinations to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's bronchitis claim is remanded for additional development.,The Veteran's migraines claim is remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.,The Veteran's cervical and lumbar back conditions claims are remanded for a VA examination to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's uterine fibroids, hysterectomy, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, right ankle condition, and DM claims are remanded for VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology.,The Veteran's right ankle condition claim is remanded for a VA examination to determine its nature and etiology.,The Veteran's DM claim is remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage rating standards for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 28, 2015. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions have not rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his headaches, TBI residuals, right thumb disability, PTSD with GAD, and total unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of time to pursue a Master's degree in Social Work was dismissed as moot because the benefits sought have been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disability (claimed as multiple sclerosis) was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have multiple sclerosis and his other claimed conditions were already service-connected. A TDIU was granted from October 3, 2013, based on his chronic fatigue syndrome, restless leg syndrome, and migraine headaches. Special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) was granted from February 3, 2014, due to the Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches. The Veteran's assertions, along with his spouse and brother's statements, support a finding of continuity of symptoms since active duty. A VA examiner found it 'at least as likely as not' that the Veteran's current headache disability is related to his in-service injury. Therefore, the claim is granted.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal due to a successful rating for 100% disability, and the Board dismissed the case accordingly.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a psychiatric disability other than PTSD is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a TDIU, a higher rating for PTSD, and service connection for a chronic pain disability.

The Veteran's headaches, lumbar spine DDD, cervical spine disability, right upper extremity sensory dysfunction, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity sensory loss are all granted with specific ratings. The effective date for these grants is March 18, 2010.

The Veteran's migraines have resulted in very frequent completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but the rating assigned was noncompensable. The Board also remanded several issues including hypertension and CFS.

The Veteran's back disability, headaches, and seizure disorder have been granted service connection.,Other claims for service connection are pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's cervicogenic headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected neck condition, which was previously denied for tension headaches also claimed with chronic neck pain.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder (claimed as an upper back disorder), lumbar spine disorder, and migraine headaches. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiner's opinion regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and incomplete VA treatment records. The issues include low back disorder, acquired psychiatric disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disorder, and headaches.