Migraines & headaches decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for alcohol dependence as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but the claims for alcohol-induced mood and anxiety disorder and tension headaches are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than February 27, 2012, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for his service-connected headaches disability is denied. The Board found that it was not factually ascertainable prior to this date that the Veteran met the criteria for a 50 percent rating.

The Board's decision on the issues of service connection for liver damage, migraine headaches, a psychiatric disability (including anxiety and depression), and sleep apnea is dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeal has been vacated.

The Board has dismissed all issues of rating and service connection for various conditions, including major depressive disorder, amputation-related injuries, arthritis, shoulder conditions, hearing loss, headaches, heart conditions, and elbow/shoulder arthralgia. The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI, including headaches and seizures residuals, due to inadequate prior examinations. The SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the TBI claim.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for sleep apnea was denied.,Service connection for tinnitus and asthma were both denied, while service connection for headaches was granted.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right lower extremity disabilities, acquired psychiatric disorders, eye disability, shoulder disabilities, renal cyst, emphysema, fibromyalgia, stomach hernia disability, skin disability with impairment of the feet, and migraine headache disability. The reasons were lack of evidence or failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted service connection, while his bilateral shoulder and elbow conditions as well as lumbar spine disability are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient development of medical evidence.

The Veteran's recurrent tension headaches are found to have originated during active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis B and depression have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, a lumbar spine disorder, and chronic headaches. The Board found the persuasive weight of the evidence was against finding these conditions are related to service.,Service connection is denied as there is no nexus between the Veteran's current thoracic and lumbar spine disorders and his in-service back injury or physical profile.

The Veteran's right and left wrist disabilities, diagnosed as tendonitis, were granted service connection.,The Veteran's diverticulitis was granted service connection. His headaches and psychiatric disability (insomnia with generalized anxiety disorder) were also granted service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral dry eyes and conjunctivitis (claimed as residuals of flash burning bilateral eyes), migraine headaches, left knee disability, low back disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder has also been recharacterized.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient explanation for not granting a maximum 50 percent rating for headaches, and requires an examination to determine the current severity of the condition.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, sleep apnea, and a cognitive disorder with memory loss due to exposure in the Persian Gulf War. Service connection for fatigue is denied.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines is remanded due to the need for a new examination as he was unable to attend the previous VA examination and his assertions were not fully addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee and hip disabilities, as well as migraines, all secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability. The TBI claim is denied.,Service connection was established for right knee and hip disabilities due to an altered gait caused by a service-connected right ankle injury. Migraines are considered a continuation of pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.