Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's migraine and tension headaches are rated at 50% prior to February 27, 2020, and a higher rating is not warranted.,Since February 27, 2020, the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome warrants a 40% rating.

An initial 50 percent rating is granted for migraine headaches for the entire period on appeal prior to March 18, 2022.,The Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU over which the Board may exercise jurisdiction is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on several foot conditions, leg shin splints, jock itch, low blood pressure, upper respiratory infections, seasickness, fatigue, and headaches. The appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as her service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw their claim for service connection for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of PTSD, right ankle disability, and migraine headaches have precluded him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher than 50 percent rating for tension headaches was denied as the evidence did not show an exceptional disability picture that the available schedular evaluations were inadequate.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to a single service-connected disability, including on an extraschedular basis, was also denied. The Board found the Veteran does not qualify for a schedular TDIU based on a single disability and his unemployment from 2008 did not raise reasonable doubt that he is unemployable solely due to his tension headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to address service connection for a genitourinary disorder, TBI residuals, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches.

The Board denied service connection for headaches as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event that could be linked to the current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 15, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development, including obtaining updated VA medical opinions. The issues include otitis externa, partial complex seizure disorder with headaches, and hypertension prior to August 10, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle sprain, headaches, and sleep disorder due to lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) was remanded.,The Board also remanded the issues regarding evaluations for residuals of thyroglossal duct cyst and disfiguring neck scar.

The Veteran's CFS is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for a new examination.

The Board has remanded several claims for higher initial ratings, including those for TBI and psychiatric disability, thoracic spine disability, and migraine headaches. Additional development is required to obtain VA treatment records and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.,Service connection claims for high lead in bone marrow, sleep apnea, and low testosterone were denied as there is no current diagnosis or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, bilateral flat feet, a bilateral shoulder condition, asthma, cervical spine condition, thoracolumbar spine condition, and bilateral knee conditions are being remanded as further medical examination is needed to determine the nature and cause of these disabilities.,Your current hearing loss disability is currently rated as noncompensable. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's TBI is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is found to be related to his active service.,The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's SMC based on housebound status is denied as he does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100% or TDIU due to a single service-connected disability.

The Board found no evidence of the claimed disabilities during service or within one year post-service, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD and TBI, migraine headaches, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records. The rating assigned will be determined after reviewing all evidence received since the last prior adjudication.