Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected headaches related to TBI from April 1, 2016 to September 18, 2017 is being remanded due to the need for a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of his headaches prior to September 19, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to July 14, 2007 is denied as he was on active duty status and maintained meaningful employment during that period.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a TBI and headache disability are granted. However, his claim for a right eye disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including blurred vision, psychiatric disability, neck condition, left shoulder disability, nerve damage of the left upper extremity, dizziness, and headaches, due to lack of causation by VA care.

The Board has remanded the cases due to unclear claims and a need for clarification from the Veteran regarding his service connection requests.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to missing service records and the need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, headache disability, prostate disability, gastrointestinal disability, cervical spine disability, right sacroiliac disability, left sacroiliac disability, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity are all under review.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including shin splints and stroke residuals. The remand includes obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shin splints and a VA examination to address her claims of stroke residuals.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate rationale in previous opinions and need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back disability and initial compensable rating for headache disorder due to non-compliance with previous remand directives regarding scheduling of VA examinations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claims for service connection of migraine headaches, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for fatigue disorder, headaches, and sleep disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her service connection claims. The case will be returned to the RO for further examination and determination.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for back, shoulder, and headache disorders. The case is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records from non-VA providers, SSA disability benefit decisions, and VA contractor medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder disorder, cervical spine disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and migraine headaches (secondary to hypertension) as the evidence did not show a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran's migraines have worsened since his initial rating in September 2017, and the Board has granted a 50% disability rating effective April 4, 2019.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeals for an increased rating for lumbar spine strain with degenerative disc disease and migraine/tension headaches before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including his scar claim, knee conditions, erectile dysfunction, and psychiatric disorder. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for a traumatic brain injury with headaches.

The Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and service connection for headaches are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache condition is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current headache disability and it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected PTSD. However, the Veteran's skin condition remains unclear due to conflicting evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding these issues.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Oak Hill Hospital on September 2, 2017 are now covered by VA as the treatment was rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health and no other feasible options were available.