Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected headaches, as the previous examination did not adequately reflect the current state of his condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations, service connection, and TDIU due to incomplete development of evidence. The claims are being returned for further action.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back or lumbar spine disability, neck or cervical spine disability, and headache disability due to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and headaches have been remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disability manifested by pain, numbness, and locking has also been remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right elbow disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development regarding low back disability, headaches, and fibromyalgia.,Service connection was not granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to insufficient evidence linking them to his active service.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,For his lumbar spine disability, ratings greater than 10%, 20%, and 40% are denied from November 20, 2015 to June 15, 2021; June 15, 2021 to December 9, 2021; and December 9, 2021 to the present respectively.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for service connection on all listed conditions before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and lumbar spine disability were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30% rating for her right shoulder condition effective September 1, 2011.

The Veteran's plantar fasciitis is currently rated as noncompensable from April 28, 2014 to October 28, 2015. The Board has found that the severity of her bilateral planter fasciitis warrants a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5276 effective April 28, 2014.,The Veteran's migraines have been rated as noncompensable since August 2019. A new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of her migraine disability.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral hearing loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety, depression, psychosis, and PTSD) have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, bilateral knees, and neck conditions as well as migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that these conditions resulted from injuries sustained during active service.,There is no evidence in the STRs of any complaints or treatment related to these conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated as noncompensable since September 10, 2010. The Board found that the criteria for a compensable rating have not been met due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Board vacated the portion of its May 2020 decision that denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches due to failure to address all contentions raised by the Veteran.,The Veteran's TDIU claim based on service-connected migraine headaches is remanded for further consideration.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches but remanded the issue of service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) residuals other than migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, but the appeals for right knee disability, left knee disability, and right hip disability are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has determined that another remand is needed to obtain opinions addressing the nature and etiology of the Veteran's headaches, including their relationship to service and his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, left lung disorder, lipomas, muscle deterioration disorder, and bone degeneration disorder. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct link to his military service or exposure to contaminants.

The Board has denied service connection for migraine headaches, GERD, dermatitis or eczema of the elbows, left knee disability, and right thumb disability as they are not shown to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and TDIU due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current headache condition is related to his service, including his deployment in Iraq. The issues are also intertwined as a decision on one could significantly impact the other.

The Veteran's tension headaches have worsened since his last VA examination in 2015, and he has been prescribed additional medication. The Board is remanding the case to obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.