Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, shortness of breath and asthma, a right knee condition, and a right ankle condition have been granted. The claim for service connection for obesity has been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD and migraine headaches have been remanded due to the need for additional development. The claim of a disability rating more than 50 percent for PTSD is dismissed, while the claims for migraine headaches are being reviewed again.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, which she experienced during her military service and continue to this day, are related to her service. As a result, the claim for service connection for headaches is granted.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent since October 20, 2022. The Board found that his very frequent and prolonged attacks, including symptoms like dizziness, nausea, photophobia, sonophobia, and severe pain (rated as nine out of ten), are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity (LUE), and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity due to new evidence received since the final denial in June 2015. The claims are remanded to obtain addendum opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The case is being returned for further development, including obtaining addendum opinions from an examiner.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded to obtain an assessment of the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability prior to March 18, 2019.

The Veteran's migraines were rated at a 30 percent disability rating prior to August 16, 2012 and at a 50 percent disability rating between August 16, 2012 and April 26, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's headache and gastrointestinal disabilities, finding that these conditions are causally related to his military service. The decision also vacated a previous denial of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a higher initial rating for his service-connected low back condition and migraines due to inadequate examinations and new evidence of worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's migraines, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as sciatica), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (claimed as sciatica) are all granted service connection. The Board found that these conditions began during or were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), memory problems, low energy, and exhaustion are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for a separate diagnosis related to active service or due to an undiagnosed illness.,VA examinations have attributed the Veteran’s symptoms to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines should be remanded, as his submission to opt-in to the modernized review system was invalid due to a pre-implementation legacy rating decision.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) from his initial tour of active duty in the United States Army are incomplete. The claims for headaches, left knee disability, and flatfeet have been remanded due to inadequate VA examination opinions and the need to obtain STRs.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is found to have caused his cerebral infarction (stroke). From November 15, 2016, the Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's unauthorized non-VA medical expenses incurred at UAMC on July 3, 2018 were reimbursed because the treatment was for an adjudicated service-connected disability and the services were for emergency treatment of a condition that would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed.

The claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied.,New evidence has not been received to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for arthritis of the left hand, right hand, right knee, low back, nasal fracture, sinus disability, headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, and lung disability.

The appeals for service connection for rhinitis (sinusitis) and asthma have been dismissed. Service connection for headaches has been granted.

The Veteran's request to increase the ratings for TBI and PTSD, as well as reopen his claims for service connection of right foot and left foot disabilities, was granted. However, a separate rating for other TBI residuals is remanded.