Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

An earlier effective date of May 31, 2015, but no earlier, for the assignment of an increased rating of 50 percent for service-connected migraines is granted. An earlier effective date of May 31, 2015, but no earlier, for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for the service-connected left knee strain and patellofemoral syndrome is granted. As of May 31, 2015, a disability rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for the service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her tension headaches was granted, with an effective date of November 13, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional VA examinations.

Service connection is granted for headaches, hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, and thoracolumbar spine disorder.,Service connection is denied for hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol), chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), RIGHT ankle disorder, LEFT knee disorder, RIGHT knee disorder, radiculopathy of the RIGHT lower extremity, radiculopathy of the LEFT lower extremity, and cervical spine / neck disorder.,Service connection is remanded for radiculopathy of the RIGHT upper extremity and radiculopathy of the LEFT upper extremity.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vitiligo, allergic rhinitis, low back disability, left hip disability, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraines with nausea and dizziness are all denied. The Board has determined that the evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these conditions.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis is also denied. The evidence indicates that her allergic rhinitis manifested as allergic rhinitis without polyps, but with greater than 50 percent obstruction of the nasal passage on both sides.,Service connection claims for a low back disability and left hip disability are remanded. A VA examiner will be asked to determine whether it is clear and unmistakable that the Veteran's preexisting scoliosis was not aggravated beyond its natural progression by her active duty military service.,The Veteran's claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and migraines with nausea and dizziness are also remanded. A VA examiner will be asked to determine whether these conditions were incurred in, or related to, her active duty service.,PACT Act exposure is not applicable to any of the claims.,No rating assigned as all issues are currently denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are denied as service connection is not warranted.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is denied as it is not proximately due to or aggravated by his PTSD.,The Veteran's bilateral blepharitis and early cataracts are denied as they are not etiologically related to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claims for a headache disability, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, herpes, hypertension, neuropathy of the right lower extremity, and neuropathy of the left lower extremity to obtain additional medical records and schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's TMJ was granted an increased rating to 30 percent effective January 5, 2012. The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for left and right leg conditions is remanded due to inadequate VA examinations.,A compensable rating for headaches is also remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's current sleep disorder, including sleep apnea, and her right knee disability need further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 30 percent for IBS is granted. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for hysterectomy prior to June 3, 2019 is denied. Beginning June 3, 2019, the Veteran is granted a rating of 50 percent for her service-connected hysterectomy. The claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's entitlement to a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches, prior to December 21, 2020, is granted. The appeal regarding service connection for a back disability, which was remanded by the Board, is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a back condition secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability. The claim for an increased rating for migraines was denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for peripheral vestibular disorder and migraines, with a 50% disability rating.,His tinnitus is also now service-connected.

An initial rating of 50 percent for cervicogenic headache with migraines features, from May 31, 2016, is granted. The Veteran's entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and/or BPPV. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension, sleep apnea, and headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected sinusitis with headaches due to outstanding treatment records and a need for a new VA examination.