Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for right shin splints, left shin splints, right elbow tendonitis, left elbow tendonitis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and left foot plantar fasciitis. Service connection for tension headaches was also denied as the Veteran's headache symptoms were related to his already service-connected sinus disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disability is analogous to migraines with completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, warranting a 50 percent rating. The lumbar spine disability remains remanded for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding its severity throughout the appeal period. The issue of total disability due to individual unemployability is also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headache condition is not linked to his in-service head injury and does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of head injury, including headaches and TBI, are not related to his military service. The VA medical opinions provided significant probative value in concluding that there is no link between the Veteran's current condition and his time in active duty.

The Veteran's PTSD, opioid use disorder (in remission), and stimulant use disorder have been granted service connection.,His obstructive sleep apnea has also been granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. However, the issue of service connection for headaches is still pending due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions were denied, and the Board found that no earlier effective dates could be granted.,Issues related to asthma, COPD, heart condition, hemorrhoids, peripheral neuropathy, wrist condition, thumb fracture, lower extremity radiculopathy, upper extremity radiculopathy, forearm/elbow condition, and other conditions were also remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines has been withdrawn.,His claim to reopen the service connection for lumbar spine condition is granted, and his claim for secondary service connection for meningioma (as secondary to service-connected migraines) and TDIU due to lumbar spine condition are both remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his active duty service.

The Veteran's tension headaches were granted a rating of 30 percent effective April 12, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran had characteristic prostrating attacks occurring at least once a month for the entire appeal period.,Service connection for neck disability was remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no factually ascertainable increase in disability prior to September 11, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to service, within one year of discharge, or noted during service. The examiner is asked to provide a clear opinion on these theories and also address the relationship between her migraine condition and her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition began during their active duty.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches. The issues of entitlement to SMC at a higher rate and an effective date prior to December 13, 2013 for the grant of SMC based on loss of use of both feet are remanded.

The Veteran's increased ratings for migraine headaches and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 30 percent was granted for the period prior to December 6, 2021, and a 50 percent evaluation was granted thereafter.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a TBI, headaches as secondary to residuals of a TBI, and sleep disability as secondary to tinnitus due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder), and headaches.,However, the effective dates for these awards are not earlier than March 12, 2015.

The Board has denied service connection for a gastrointestinal disability, and remanded the spine, prostate, and headache claims due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar strain, diagnosed as thoracic degenerative disc disease and myofascial dysfunction, and headaches that are secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and remanded the issue of TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ratings and service connection claims.