Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left foot disabilities, as well as shin splints, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and headaches. The claims are based on a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional records and further review.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and bilateral hearing loss, but granted service connection for hypertension secondary to a service-connected anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected chronic headache disorder, PTSD, and lumbosacral strain with arthritis are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches before November 30, 2019 was denied. For the period beginning November 30, 2019, his increased disability rating claim for tension headaches was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior remand instructions regarding a VA examination for the Veteran's claimed headache disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of various conditions, including left ankle condition, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left arm condition, episodes of visual loss (floaters), arteriosclerotic heart disease, diabetes mellitus type II, headaches, and nerve damage is granted. The AOJ should arrange for VA examinations to determine the nature and likely cause of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining additional medical records and providing addendum opinions. The issues of increased rating for left knee TKA replacement, service connection for right hip disorder, OSA, migraine headaches, HTN, and right knee disorder are all being remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headache symptoms do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating criteria, as they are infrequent and do not cause characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its December 2022 remand directives and thus the claims for thoracolumbar spondylosis, onychomycosis (claimed as toe fungus), xeroderma of the bilateral feet, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, and migraines are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Board has remanded the claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, including on an extraschedular basis. The case is being referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, forehead laceration, headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations.

PTSD and allergic rhinitis have been granted with specific ratings.,Migraines, eczema (claimed as skin condition), sleep apnea, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remain pending issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment since November 6, 2018. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from that date.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a headache disorder and a right knee disorder due to insufficient information or medical findings.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and a post-concussive disorder manifested by post-traumatic headaches, finding that the pre-existing conditions were aggravated by active service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, thoracic spine disability, right lower extremity neuropathy, and migraine headaches due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to failure to obtain VA examinations and opinions as part of a prior remand. The issues include hearing loss, tinnitus, lung condition due to asbestos exposure, TBI, and non-prostrating posttraumatic headaches.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent prior to March 15, 2022, due to very frequent and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability. The claim for TDIU is denied as the Veteran remains gainfully employed.

The Veteran's right knee disability, claimed as degenerative arthritis of the right knee, is not service-connected.,The Veteran's sinusitis with epistaxis (claimed as nose bleeds) does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 6510.,The Veteran's environmental allergies do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Codes related to allergic rhinitis.,Prior to November 5, 2020, the Veteran's headaches did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From November 5, 2020 onwards, he is granted a 30 percent disability rating for his headaches.