Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is currently rated at 50 percent effective December 6, 2022. The Board has remanded the issue of an increased rating for this condition.,For the lumbar spine disability, the Veteran was previously granted a 20% rating prior to January 7, 2014, and denied any higher ratings thereafter. The Board has also remanded this issue.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 40 percent from November 17, 2020. The Board has remanded the issue of an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including rating determinations and service connection for various conditions. The case is returned to the AOJ for initial review of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claim for a headache disability, claimed as migraines and diagnosed as chronic tension headaches, due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology. The Veteran's in-service face trauma is noted but post-service symptomatology must be considered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the Board has remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding potential chemical or radiation exposure during his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a TBI, headaches, and ischemic stroke residuals have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims during a hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected bilateral foot condition and migraine headaches. The Board will consider whether a higher rating can be granted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are service-connected and granted.,Degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease and disc extrusions is not rated higher than 40 percent.

PTSD rating increased to 70% prior to July 25, 2017. From July 25, 2017 onwards, PTSD rating remains at 70%. Migraine headache rating denied prior to September 25, 2020.,TDIU appeal dismissed as moot from March 7, 2020.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's symptoms and his claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any VA or private treatment records, including a full opioid pain care agreement from September 2011.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, and sleep apnea due to their association with the Veteran's service-connected PTSD. The case of TDIU remains on appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, and headaches are all granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.,An effective date prior to March 9, 2017, for the grant of service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations, treatment records, and consideration of functional loss.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's headache disability and erectile dysfunction are both granted as secondary to medications used to treat his service-connected psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for service-connected migraine headaches prior to February 12, 2018 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show or suggest characteristic prostrating attacks resulting from her migraines.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for atrial fibrillation, sleep apnea, and headache disorder due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran will need a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected atrial fibrillation disability and whether his sleep apnea and headache disorder are related to his Persian Gulf War service.

The Veteran's sinusitis is granted as service-connected due to presumed exposure to particulate matter during Southwest Asia service. The claims for pulmonary disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder), PTSD, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD), and headaches are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and migraine headaches, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service or secondary to her service-connected back condition.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since the appeal period began, and his right hip bursitis has also been granted a 50 percent rating. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to incomplete findings and inadequate rationales in previous VA examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations and obtain medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.