Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date due to concerns about the completeness of the record and the need for further development.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, left ear disability, back pain, neck pain, left arm disability, right arm disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. The issues have been remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for back disability, dental disability for compensation purposes, tinnitus (secondary to headaches and status post cerebral concussion), higher ratings for headaches and status post cerebral concussion, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities has been remanded. The VA is required to obtain additional treatment records and schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches, finding that his very frequent and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability meet the criteria for this highest schedular rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for a recurrent headache disability, TDIU, and SMC A&A/housebound due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted service connection. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and sleep apnea. The left knee, right wrist, erectile dysfunction (ED), and headaches claims are still pending and will be remanded.,Service connection has been established for allergic rhinitis/sinusitis and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's ocular migraines are related to his military service. The Veteran claimed that his migraines began shortly after discharge, but there is no medical documentation of such symptoms during or immediately following his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a 50 percent disability rating, which is the highest available under DC 8100.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, unspecified depressive disorder with anxious distress, and insomnia disorder are found to be related to his service.,Migraine headaches are determined to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case to refer the issue of entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration. The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have caused her significant impairment in her ability to work, and there is sufficient evidence to suggest that she may be unemployable by reason of these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of private medical records and in-service symptomology, as well as a need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of current treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for a psychiatric disability, prior to October 17, 2022; an increased rating for migraine headaches, in excess of 10 percent prior to October 18, 2022, and in excess of 50 percent as of October 18, 2022; and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for trigeminal neuralgia. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and information about the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, migraine headaches, and eczema have prevented her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 15, 2017. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) effective that date.

The Board has remanded this case due to insufficient evidence regarding the necessity of the requested home modifications and accommodations. The Veteran's claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and migraine headaches, finding that the evidence supports these claims. The Veteran's symptoms were observed during service and are linked to his active-duty service.