Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI) was denied. A separate 30 percent rating for vertigo is granted beginning October 31, 2022.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right heel spurs, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary issues, hypertension, hemorrhoids, acid reflux, bilateral tinea pedis, a disability of the lumbar or thoracic spine (upper back strain), and a headache disorder (migraines). The Board found that there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates were denied, while a rating of 50 percent was granted for hypertensive headaches.

The Veteran's headaches, which manifested as very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks, resulting in severe economic inadaptability, are now rated at 50 percent effective from February 2, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinnitus, asthma, and sinus condition were denied in previous rating decisions. The claim for headaches was granted.,The Veteran's claims for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, back condition, right ankle condition, and left ankle condition are being remanded.

The Board has remanded both the stroke residuals and headache disability claims due to inadequate VA opinions. Further medical development is required for both issues.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 70 percent for anxiety disorder, effective November 17, 2013. The effective date was determined based on the grant of service connection for anxiety disorder with TBI.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, which is granted. The rating is based on the severity and frequency of his attacks.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of headache disorder and vertigo, which were previously remanded by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic disease, lumbosacral strain, right knee disability, migraines, tinnitus, scar, and hearing loss, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including peripheral radiculopathy and gluteus disorder. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a RLE neurological condition has been reopened due to new evidence. The hearing loss and PTSD claims have been denied, while the TBI and related conditions (headaches) are remanded. The right knee and foot conditions remain in dispute.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his employment from January 2016 to March 2019 was considered marginal due to a work-related motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches and TDIU prior to December 11, 2012. The Veteran's current diagnoses of migraine and cluster headaches were not shown as chronic in service or within one year after service separation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, IBS, left ankle disability, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to April 17, 2018. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's migraines are granted with an initial 30 percent rating, effective November 24, 2014. The Board found the Veteran's headaches meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left knee disability, left foot disability, left skin disability, and headaches due to additional development. The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is not found to be related to his claimed disabilities.

An increased 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches is granted effective February 20, 2015.,A disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD is denied prior to August 13, 2019. A disability rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD is denied from August 13, 2019 onward.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 28, 2015, for a 50 percent rating for service-connected migraine headaches is granted. The increase in severity of the Veteran's migraine headaches first occurred within one year of his February 3, 2016, claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for arthritis, migraine headaches, and status-post laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.