Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected headache syndrome was manifested by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability from October 19, 2011, to February 19, 2015. An initial rating of 50 percent has been granted for this period.

The Veteran's other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is related to service, but he does not have a diagnosis of PTSD. Service connection for the acquired psychiatric disability (other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder) is granted. The claims for PTSD, ED, migraines, seizure disorder (also claimed as epilepsy), and sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to report for a VA examination and will schedule another one to determine the current severity of service-connected migraines.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches as residual of head trauma are granted a 30 percent evaluation from June 27, 2017 to February 11, 2022.

The Veteran's headache disorder is remanded for a VA examination to determine its cause, including whether it is related to his service in Southwest Asia and presumed toxic exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability, finding that his pre-existing condition did not undergo an increase in disability beyond its natural progression during active duty. The claims for secondary service connection for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities as related to bilateral pes planus, and for PTSD and headache disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with obtaining VA treatment records from Vet Centers and for further development of the Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) issue.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for headaches, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted an initial increased disability rating of 50 percent, and his service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depression is granted an initial increased disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for headaches and broken-jaw residuals due to a lack of VA examinations. The Veteran was hospitalized at the time of scheduled examinations, but he now agrees to reschedule them.

The Veteran is entitled to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from December 9, 2011 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date for this TDIU determination is set at July 17, 2015.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's obesity and her claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various upper extremity and shoulder disabilities, as well as a headache disorder. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia, left eye scar, and a compensable rating for right hand 4th digit scar have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.,PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a sinus condition to include sinus pressure and nasal congestion, finding that there is no evidence of diagnosed conditions related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches and sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities remain pending. The Board has ordered additional VA examinations and opinions due to outstanding records and incomplete medical history.

The Veteran's headache disability is currently rated at 30 percent from the period of appeal prior to January 7, 2020, and 50 percent thereafter. The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the entire period of appeal.

The reduction of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent was improper, and the prior rating is restored. The Veteran's headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a noncompensable level, but the Board granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for characteristic prostrating attacks averaging once in two months over the last several months.