Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran withdrew all his pending appeals before the Board, including hearings scheduled for him.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and consideration of her claims, including those related to her right ankle disability, arthritis, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for bipolar disorder, post-concussive headaches, and lumbar disc herniation. The TDIU claim is also on hold until all other claims are addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to the service-connected fibromyalgia, a skin disorder (tinea versicolor), and a bilateral knee disorder. The evidence supports these determinations based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for cluster migraine headaches, finding that there is now sufficient evidence to support the claim. The Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service and a private examiner diagnosed him with chronic cluster migraines.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, thyroid condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and heart condition due to incomplete VA treatment records and an inadequate April 2012 addendum opinion for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to PTSD is granted. The claims for sleep disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle pain, joint pain, hair loss, and TDIU are withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tonsils removed and tinnitus have been denied as there are no residuals of the procedures that would warrant an award of service connection.,Service connection for tinnitus has also been denied, with the Board finding that the evidence does not establish a nexus between the condition and active-duty service.,The Veteran's claims for neck injury, headaches, and leg twitches have been remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding medical records and further examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are caused by their service-connected acquired psychiatric disability, and they have been unable to maintain substantially gainful employment since October 24, 2017. Service connection for these conditions is granted, and a TDIU is awarded from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residual scars from gunshot wounds, finding that the aggravation is least likely due to natural progression and resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is found to be related to his current diagnoses of OSA, hypertension, GERD, heart disease, and stroke. The Veteran's headaches are rated as 50% disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied multiple times, and no new and material evidence was submitted to reopen any of the claims. The Board also determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU as he has no service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to service or secondary to his service-connected sinusitis for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent from September 14, 2020, for migraine headaches associated with traumatic brain injury is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bursitis of the right elbow and recurring yeast infections (claimed as vaginal irritation) are reopened due to new evidence received since their previous denial decisions.,Service connection for chronic vaginitis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of breast reduction surgery with scarring is granted. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a headache disability, sinus disability, hypertension, and an acquired psychiatric disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,The Board has found that there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions. The Veteran asserts exposure to herbicide agents and/or ionizing radiation while serving in Okinawa, but the record does not support this claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that his pre-existing condition was not aggravated by his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches due to additional development being needed. The Veteran will need updated VA treatment records, a VA examination for hypertension, and another VA examination for headaches.