Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and tension headaches, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Board dismissed all the claims of entitlement as the appellant (through his authorized representative) requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches are granted a maximum 50% evaluation from January 30, 2014. However, the Board has remanded his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and/or earlier effective dates for his scars of the face, left neck, and under the chin, as well as sensory loss to the left lower face, have been dismissed.,An effective date of January 30, 2015 has been granted for service connection of mixed migraine and tension headaches, residual of TBI.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of TBI, migraines, and low back strain due to unclear severity and missing VA treatment records. A new VA examination is needed to determine current symptomatology and severity.

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches and hypertension, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, headache disability, and thoracolumbar spine disability due to delays in scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's failure to report for these examinations is being addressed.

The Board has determined that additional evidence needs to be considered and the claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to March 15, 2018 for service-connected headaches and for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration.

The Veteran's GERD was denied as it is not related to service, while his tension headaches were denied due to lack of in-service onset or relationship.,Service connection for fibromyalgia was granted based on unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI) manifested by back, shoulders, and upper arms pain.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been granted under the PACT Act, but an effective date prior to August 10, 2022 is not established due to lack of evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection for sleep apnea and a heart condition, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's attorney withdrawing his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and consideration of new evidence.,The Board is seeking clarification on the qualifications of the examiner who provided the August and September 2022 opinions, particularly regarding their experience in rheumatology.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee conditions, hemorrhoids, migraines, and sleep apnea. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's current symptoms are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete information regarding the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has remanded both issues for further development, including obtaining medical records and information on the Veteran's income and unreimbursed medical expenses.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection claims for tinnitus, sleep apnea, headaches, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for tinnitus remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for right ear hearing loss, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The claim for tinnitus was not granted as higher than 10 percent.,PTSD was rated at the highest possible level (70 percent) prior to July 16, 2020, and TDIU was granted.

The Board has granted reimbursement for the medical expenses incurred by the Veteran at Carthage Area Hospital on September 9, 2008, to September 10, 2008, due to his service-connected conditions and the emergency nature of his syncopal episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his migraine disability due to ambiguity regarding the severity of his very frequent prostrating attacks.