Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional evidence being added to his file and for further examination of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's polycystic ovarian syndrome is now rated at 30 percent, and her migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent.,Both conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for migraines, finding that the Veteran's migraine headaches did not result in characteristic prostrating attacks averaging at least once every two months during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, headache disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a TBI during service or any chronic residuals related to an in-service injury. There is also no causal link between the current headaches and the motor vehicle accident in service. Regarding the right knee disability, there was no indication of a pre-existing condition that began during service or within one year after separation from service.,The Board concluded that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraines and insomnia have been denied, with the issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to tinnitus being remanded.,The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for migraines or insomnia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, hiatal hernia, migraines and migraine variants, right knee chondromalacia and medial meniscus tear, and rheumatoid arthritis (presumed due to Agent Orange exposure), prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, traumatic brain injury, low back condition, right knee and hand conditions, and neck condition since February 28, 2008, have rendered him unemployable from December 18, 2007 to July 23, 2008. His basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) was granted on the same dates.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 26, 2021 are remanded due to the unclear establishment of when the date entitlement arose and a need for clarification.,The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings in excess of 30 percent for binocular diplopia with strabismus and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for ocular vertigo associated with binocular diplopia are remanded due to the pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain and left ankle strain are found to have caused his right knee arthritis.,VA is remanding the claims for service connection for a left foot disability, PTSD, and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in the evaluation of migraine headaches, to include on an extraschedular basis, has been denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to June 25, 2013 for awards of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability and migraine headaches have also been denied. The Board finds that the matter must be remanded as there is a need for a VA examination to clarify the Veteran's current level of disability.,The Veteran's claim for increase in evaluation for unspecified depressive disorder has been remanded, as it depends on the disposition of his TDIU claim and other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, migraine headaches, tachycardia with chest pain, left heel disability, right foot disability, vertigo, TBI, and hiatal hernia, render her incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's migraines are granted as service connected. The claim for deviated nasal septum is remanded due to a lack of an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected migraines and GERD due to insufficient consideration of the ameliorative effects of medications in determining their severity.

The Board has remanded all of the Veteran's claims due to inadequate VA examinations and new evidence received since the last decision.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to September 9, 2006 is denied as he had secured and followed a substantially gainful occupation during that period.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of TBI prior to July 10, 2015 is denied as his intent to file the claim was received within one year after discharge from service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches prior to July 10, 2015 is denied as he did not submit a claim until July 10, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of thoracolumbar strain, migraine headaches, allergic rhinitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and PTSD with major depressive disorder (MDD) have been denied. The most recent evaluation for thoracolumbar strain is 40 percent disabling, while the other conditions remain at their initial evaluations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a low back disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, erectile dysfunction, sinus disorder, right ankle disorder, left ankle disorder, bowel disorder, headaches, enlarged prostate disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for a skin disability has been remanded.

The Veteran's back disability, left knee degenerative joint disease, hemorrhoids, and tension headaches are all being remanded for further evaluation due to changes in their severity since the last VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, pulmonary nodule of the right lung, bilateral pterygium, and residuals of closed rib fracture with associated keloid scar are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity.

The Veteran's liposarcoma and headache disorder are granted service connection, but his hepatic steatosis is denied. The case for the headache disorder is remanded.