Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating of 50 percent for migraines was granted. The appeals for the increased ratings for degenerative disc disease and bilateral pes planus were remanded.

The Veteran's petition to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for headaches has been granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's hearing loss, tinnitus, and total disability rating based on unemployability.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches that he contends had its onset during his period of active service. He also seeks a higher rating for his tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the claims for an earlier effective date and increased ratings for migraines, depression, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disorder and migraine headaches on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected neck disability. Service connection for back disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the legacy appeal system not being opted into the modernized review system.

The reduction in the rating assigned for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches from 30 percent to zero percent was improper, and the 30 percent rating is reinstated, effective January 1, 2019. The issue of whether a higher disability rating is warranted remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for migraine headaches before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, and PTSD are all granted with specific ratings. The headaches were initially rated at 30%, the bilateral plantar fasciitis at 10% prior to March 3, 2017, and since June 24, 2019, a separate rating of 10% for metatarsalgia is granted. PTSD is granted with a 70% rating prior to March 1, 2017.

The Veteran's headaches, which he first experienced during his deployment to Iraq, are considered service-connected as they started during active duty.

The Veteran's clothing allowance for the 2018 benefit year is granted due to her use of a manual wheelchair for mobility, which caused wear and tear on her clothing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain, bilateral knee disorder, headaches, sinus disorder, and gastrointestinal (GI) disorder. The Board found that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or chronicity of these conditions, and the medical opinions provided did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has determined that there was not substantial compliance with its July 2022 remand directives and thus the claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for right hand, left hand, and headache disabilities. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss have been reopened, and both conditions are now granted. The appeal is also granted for the evaluation of left shoulder tendonitis and left clavicle spur, lumbar spondylosis and osteophytosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), uterine fibroids, migraines, hypertension, residual scar from ventral hernia repair, anxiety, memory loss, sleep disturbances, knee disorder, and fibromyalgia. The appeal is remanded for further evaluations and determinations on these issues.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and missing records, including a VA examination for the claimed migraine disability.

Service connection for a scar over the right eyebrow is granted.,Service connection for an ingrown toenail on the right big toe, to include residuals thereof, is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left leg disorder and headaches due to a lack of proper notification for VA examinations, and requests that additional efforts be made to contact the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for reopening of previously denied service connection claims are remanded due to missing documents. The VA is instructed to attempt to obtain and associate these missing documents with the Veteran's claims file.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic brain injury, headaches, sleep apnea, and a right knee disorder have been denied. The evidence did not substantiate the presence of these conditions during or related to active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current headache disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disorder.