Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder pain, joint pain, and headaches. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, TMJ disorder, and a back disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development.,Service connection will be determined based on whether there is a link between the current conditions and military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) on the basis of aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities, which include major depressive disorder, Raynaud's Syndrome, migraine headache, and a sinus disability. The decision is based on the need for regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims for service connection can be adjudicated. The claims are remanded due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and migraine headaches related to TBI need further review due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's asthma is granted under the PACT Act, and his gastrointestinal disability (GERD) and headaches are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including unspecified depressive disorder, is granted as service-connected. An initial 50 percent rating for tension headaches (claimed as migraine headaches) is also granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, a psychiatric disability (claimed as personality disorder), an autoimmune disorder (claimed as lupus), a migraine disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis due to unclear periods of service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied across multiple conditions, including migraine headaches, TBI, PTSD, lumbar spine disability, gout, right and left knee disabilities, and left shoulder disability. The maximum schedular rating of 50 percent was granted for migraine headaches, but no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and headache disability due to inadequate medical opinions. The appellant served in active duty from December 1990 to May 1991 with a period of ACDUTRA from August 1976 to November 1976.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided were inadequate to address the Veteran's lay statements regarding his symptomatology in service and post-service. Additionally, a new opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's current hearing loss is related to active service. Finally, an opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are caused or aggravated by his tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his peripheral vestibular disorder. The issues are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, a right knee disorder, headaches, GERD, IBS, and disabilities of each hand. The cases are now remanded for further examination and rating actions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea due to new and material evidence. The claims for other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Board has found that service connection is not warranted for sinusitis, left foot condition, right foot condition, hypertension, and migraine headaches.,Additional evidence may be needed to determine the current extent and severity of PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to December 6, 2019. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due solely to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date for certain benefits were denied. The case was remanded for further development.,For the lumbosacral strain, a rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The cervical spine, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation of the Veteran's TBI, migraine, depression, and PTSD.

The Veteran's sinus disability is granted, and he receives an initial noncompensable disability rating for his bilateral varicocele. His claims for joint pain, throat condition, back disability, irritable bowel syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorder with traumatic brain injury residuals of tension headaches and vertigo are denied.