Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board has found that the VA medical opinions are inadequate for adjudication purposes and remanded both issues of bilateral hearing loss and headache disability due to lack of an adequate examination. The Veteran's claims will be returned for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected IBS and headaches did not meet the criteria for SMC based on aid and attendance or at the housebound rate, as her disabilities did not render her permanently bedridden or so helpless as to need regular aid and assistance. The TDIU issue is remanded due to inconsistent evidence regarding the impact of her service-connected conditions on her employability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been reopened and granted. The reduction in the disability rating for PTSD from 70% to 30% effective July 1, 2016, was upheld.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents and contaminated water at Camp Lejeune is presumed, but further clarification on the etiology of his cluster headaches, peripheral neuropathy of upper and lower extremities, and aggravation by coronary artery disease is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for a respiratory sleep disorder and remanded the issues of increased ratings for right wrist and hip disabilities, as well as service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 70 percent, but not more, with moderate impairment of memory, attention, concentration, or executive functions resulting in moderate functional impairment. PTSD and migraine headaches are separately rated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are found to be related to his current acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depression. The claim for right eye vision disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, alcohol dependence, migraine headaches, and vertigo, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 80% for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to April 5, 2013 was denied. The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease since August 3, 2021.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and migraines are related to service, including exposure to gunfire and running machinery in the motor pool. The decision on whether sinus headaches are secondary to service-connected sinusitis is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for a headache condition, as it requires further development due to her refusal of scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including PTSD and depression, as well as other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is dismissed as the appellant withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for a back disorder was reopened due to new evidence received since the May 2013 rating decision. The claim of service connection for thoracolumbar disc space narrowing with degeneration and spondylosis and right knee residuals of remote partial thickness tear of the right ACL fibular collateral ligament sprain is granted.,Service connection for headaches is granted as the evidence is in approximate balance regarding whether the Veteran has a disability caused by his PTSD.,Service connection for TBI residuals is denied due to lack of competent and credible evidence showing causation.,A 30 percent rating for GERD since February 1, 2018 is granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations requested in January 2019 have not been conducted and therefore, these issues are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, tension headaches, and migraine headaches with aura are found to have begun during service.,The Veteran's depressive disorder and mood disorder with major depressive-like episodes are found to be caused by his now service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The cases for increased disability evaluations and service connection for right ear hearing loss are remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of PTSD, a headache disability, and a thoracolumbar spine disability. The cases are remanded to schedule VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection for a headache disability, as secondary to PTSD and TMJ. The case is being returned due to inadequate medical opinions.