Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's appeal for further development regarding his claims of increased evaluations and a TDIU, as the AOJ did not properly consider the timeliness of the August 2008 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) in their initial decision.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to the frequency and severity of his episodes, which prevent him from performing any work-related duties.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI, right knee disorder, low back disorder, PTSD, headaches, and skin disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

Service connection for a right knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral foot numbness has been denied.,Service connection for migraine headaches was granted with a 30% evaluation.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD, is granted as service-connected.,Service connection for chronic headaches is denied.,Service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The Board has remanded three issues related to the Veteran's lumbar spine, bilateral knee, and headache disorders due to deficiencies in the VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's recurrent brain tumors and headaches are not considered to be related to his in-service traumatic brain injury, and the Board finds that service connection is denied.

The Veteran's headaches and right ear hearing loss have been rated as noncompensable. The Board has found that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, including very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of migraines/non-migraine pain productive of severe economic inadaptability for headaches, or functional impairment from hearing loss. The Veteran's claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran was found unemployable due to service-connected headaches from October 3, 2014, to January 16, 2015. The case is remanded for consideration of TDIU prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic weight loss have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,His claim for a higher rating for posttraumatic headaches has also been remanded.

The Veteran's right foot scar and right foot disability have been granted ratings, with the right foot scar receiving a 10% rating and the right foot disability receiving a 30% rating.,Effective dates for both the right foot scar and right foot disability are set at March 31, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and stroke residuals as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a sleep disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's headaches are part of his service-connected undiagnosed illness/chronic fatigue syndrome and cannot be separated as a separate disability.,Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to the Veteran's service-connected undiagnosed illness/chronic fatigue syndrome, but rather is a separate condition that requires further examination for etiology.,The Veteran's back condition may be related to his military service and cumulative parachute jumps, but needs further examination to determine its etiology.,Service connection for a sleep disorder cannot be established without evidence linking the condition to the Veteran's military service. The Veteran's conceded noise exposure is also relevant.,Bilateral hearing loss requires further examination due to the Veteran's conceded noise exposure in service.,The right eye condition may be related to the Veteran's military service, particularly his conceded toxic exposure from Gulf War service.,Service connection for GERD and hiatal hernia cannot be established without evidence linking the conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient explanation of its determination regarding a higher rating for migraine headaches and the need for a new examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, headaches, low back pain, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment. Service connection for bilateral upper extremity numbness and tingling is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral foot, wrist, ankle, knee, groin injury with residual erectile dysfunction, TBI with headaches, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss disability, have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, deviated septum, cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and migraine headaches due to untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filed more than one year after notification of the February 2016 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for a head injury, tinnitus, and neck disability due to the lack of evidence supporting an in-service event or injury.,No medical nexus was established between any of these conditions and military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI due to new and material evidence. However, the claim is remanded as there are insufficient VA examination records to make a decision on the merits.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's migraines are related to her service. The VA needs to obtain additional medical records and provide an updated opinion on this issue.