Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for major depressive disorder, posttraumatic headaches, and residuals of a stroke. The claims were reopened based on the submission of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including dizziness and vertigo, anxiety, migraines, stiff neck pain, and shoulder pain, as secondary to service-connected temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD).

The Veteran's service connection claim for unspecified trauma stress disorder is granted. The claim for headache disability is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service and has continued to the present, warranting service connection.,There is no current evidence of right ear hearing loss meeting VA criteria for a disability. The Veteran's hearing was tested in September 2015, which did not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.,The Veteran has not presented evidence of a current diagnosis of epididymitis during the period on appeal. His service treatment records indicate several instances of treatment for epididymitis and testicular pain during service, but his separation examination in March 1999 indicated a clinically normal genitourinary system.,The Veteran's testimony regarding migraine headaches was not examined or addressed in this decision.,The Veteran's testimony regarding obstructive sleep apnea was not examined or addressed in this decision.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under DC 8100.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in acquiring an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's headaches and rash, located on the back of the head above the right neckline, were granted service connection as they began in service and have continued to the present.

The Veteran's headache disorder is found to have started during her military service and has continued since then, meeting the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of migraines and headaches, severe body aches and joint pain, bilateral knee condition, bilateral ankle condition, sleeping disorder, bilateral wrist condition, bilateral hip condition, squamous cell carcinoma, and fatigue has been dismissed. Service connection is granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and higher initial rating for right ear hearing loss is dismissed as the claim has been severed due to clear and unmistakable error.,The Veteran's request to reopen his finally disallowed claim of entitlement to service connection for a right foot injury is granted. The evidence received since the last final denial supports this claim.,Service connection for a left foot condition is denied because there is no current evidence of such a condition or any treatment sought by the Veteran.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder impingement is granted, with the persuasive weight of the evidence being in equipoise as to whether it manifested within one year of separation from service.,Service connection for post traumatic headaches with blurry vision is granted at a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to a lack of evidence linking any service-related disability to his death. The Veteran died from suicide, fracture of skull laceration, hemorrhage of brain, and temporary insanity.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for chronic headaches and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeals for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left wrist disability are remanded.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at the highest possible level (50%) due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective August 25, 2015. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee disorder and increased ratings for bilateral plantar fasciitis, GERD, and major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability remains denied for a rating in excess of 20 percent.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded and will be re-adjudicated.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, headache disorder (claimed as panic attacks), and sleep apnea. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

Effective dates of September 15, 2015 are granted for service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Migraine Headaches, Tinnitus, and Left Ear Hearing Loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lumbar spine disorder, headache disorder, and nosebleed disorder due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional examinations.