Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration due to his service-connected disabilities prior to January 27, 2021.

The Veteran's migraines have been rated at 50 percent since June 19, 2015. The Board found that the Veteran experienced very frequent and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and right upper extremity numbness and tingling were denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, Florida on February 1, 2016 were reimbursed as the treatment was for an adjudicated service-connected disability and the services rendered were for emergency treatment of a condition that would have been hazardous to life or health if delayed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50% disability rating, effective from July 24, 2017. The Board also granted entitlement to TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain an adequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headache disability, including whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication due to inconsistencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches, including as due to TMJ and/or fibromyalgia, are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's current disabilities, including chronic headaches and head scars, are related to his in-service head injury. The issues of service connection for residuals of head trauma (including a chronic headache disability), scars of the head, and psychiatric disability have been remanded.

The Veteran's tension and migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from December 29, 2018. This is due to the presence of characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month while using medications.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection for this condition is denied. The claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD, headaches, and sleep apnea are remanded as further medical examination and opinion are needed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's post-concussive headaches and review of outstanding medical records. The issue of TDIU is also being considered as part of this process.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection and disability ratings for various conditions, including low back condition, right tibia fracture residuals, bilateral hearing loss, liver disease, headaches, PTSD, TDIU, IBS, and an effective date for IBS. The remand includes obtaining reserve records, psychiatric examination reports, and sending a copy of the July 2016 Statement of the Case to the Veteran.

The appeal of the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, low back disability, headaches, left hand and index finger disability, bilateral foot disability, and PTSD is dismissed. The issues of service connection for a low back disability, headaches, left hand and index finger disability, and bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his headache disorder and trigeminal neuralgia to his military service. The AOJ is directed to conduct additional development as necessary.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connection due to continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss for VA compensation purposes.,Service connection for an acquired mental health disorder (including PTSD and insomnia disorder) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for a low back disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.,Service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for bilateral blepharitis is remanded as there are conflicting opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a headache disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence on the issue.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and major depression render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, resulting in the grant of TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, tinnitus, and headache disorder due to the lack of evidence showing onset or continuity of symptoms during service.,There is no credible evidence linking current disabilities with service.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for migraine headaches and visual disturbance associated with those conditions have been denied. The schedular criteria do not adequately address the functional effects of these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder, erectile dysfunction, and headaches have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment, thus denying his claim for TDIU.