Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for left knee, back, right leg, and headaches disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and a need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to outstanding records and need for additional medical examinations. The issues include hemorrhoids, stomach disability, heartburn, neck disability, TBI, headache (migraine), left testicle disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in significant impairment, warranting a 70% rating from January 30, 2014 to June 24, 2015. Migraine headaches were rated at 30% from May 27, 2016 to January 14, 2021 and 50% thereafter due to very frequent attacks causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches, specifically whether they are related to his service-connected psychiatric conditions or fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine, left ankle, right ankle, headaches, sleep apnea, and peripheral neuropathy as the evidence does not support a relationship to service.,An initial compensable rating for hearing loss is remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, but no higher, as they meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating due to characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months.,The Veteran's hand tremors are rated at 10 percent, reflecting moderate symptoms.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraines, chronic allergies, sinusitis, and GERD have been granted initial disability ratings. The Veteran is now in receipt of a 100 percent rating for PTSD effective August 20, 2014.

The Veteran's OSA was diagnosed during active service and the Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met. The issues of increased rating, earlier effective date, and service connection for acquired psychiatric disability (to include depression and PTSD), headaches, and left foot disability (to include plantar fasciitis) are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a nose disorder and headaches due to further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted in the December 2021 rating decision, resolving his appeal. The appellant is eligible for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional medical opinions and to obtain relevant records, including from Social Security Administration (SSA). The issues include service connection for various conditions such as right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, flat feet, edema, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, sleep apnea, headache disorder, head injury residuals, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than insomnia.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her tension headaches is being remanded due to the addition of new evidence that has not been considered yet.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are granted a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum available under DC 8100. The disability picture does not meet criteria for a higher rating due to severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been received. The issues of entitlement to service connection for cervical, lumbar, left shoulder, right shoulder disorders, and headaches are now before the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, TBI, and migraines, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied service connection for a traumatic brain injury and remanded the issue of secondary service connection for migraines to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and knee disabilities have contributed to his unemployability, leading the Board to consider TDIU as part of the rating issues on appeal. Higher ratings for left and right knee disabilities are also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches is granted. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disability claimed as a sleep disorder including as secondary to his service-connected lumbar and/or cervical spine disorders.