Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at a maximum of 50 percent throughout the appeal period.,PTSD with TBI has not met the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent prior to December 11, 2019. The Board finds that the criteria for a rating of 50 percent have been met.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and he was granted a TDIU effective from December 27, 2018 to January 7, 2021. The Board referred the claim for a TDIU prior to December 27, 2018, to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and disability rating determinations. The Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with secondary major depressive disorder was granted a TDIU effective April 11, 2017. The appeal for the TDIU prior to that date is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for migraine headaches was denied as his migraines did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board found that while he experienced very frequent migraines, they were not of such severity to be considered 'very prostrating and prolonged' as required for a 50% rating under DC 8100. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran was denied because his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder (including sleep disturbances and PTSD), back condition, and left knee strain due to service-connected right knee strain. The claims are being returned for further development including new examinations and medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches was granted, while claims for obstructive sleep apnea and vertigo were denied. A 20 percent rating was granted for the right ankle disability from December 8, 2010.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine DDD status-post C6-C7 fusion and chronic headaches, both of which are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous instructions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches and an eye disability, including congenital exotropia.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, MDD, PTSD, GERD, migraine headaches, sarcoidosis, and skin lesions/lesions on back are remanded.,An effective date prior to March 10, 2016 for the grants of service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss disability is denied.

The Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia with GERD and diarrhea, headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities are remanded due to need for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for headaches, a right ankle condition, vertigo (claimed as dizziness), a right hip condition, and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition, to include heart murmur and chest pains has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence.,An effective date of January 8, 1997 is granted for the award of service connection for headaches.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and VA examinations. The issues include a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus, a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches, and TDIU from October 23, 2008, to June 2, 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the evaluations for post-concussion migraine headaches and GERD, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has decided that the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches, secondary to service-connected disabilities, needs further development due to insufficient medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's tension headaches and pes planus were granted service connection on a direct basis, with the Board finding that the conditions began during service and are related to in-service symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus, skin cancer, scars, and headaches, have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment for the entire period on appeal. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.