Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and she is granted TDIU. The Veteran also meets the criteria for SMC at the housebound rate due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 10 percent disability rating prior to September 7, 2022. From that date, the Veteran is denied any higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for essential tremors and headaches due to inadequate VA medical opinions and incomplete record review. The Veteran's exposure during service is not specified, but he asserts it may be related to jet fuel or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the Veteran's failure to attend a scheduled VA examination for his claimed headache disability. The Veteran is required to be provided with clear documentation about the examination process and assistance in scheduling an appropriate examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent rating for headaches, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that the increase in disability occurred prior to November 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed headache disorder, including its relationship to service-connected TBI with PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of migraines, as secondary to PTSD, due to insufficient evidence in support of the Veteran's assertions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period. The Board finds that the current disability is not related to service.,The Veteran has a current left shoulder disability, but the VA examiner opined that it is most probably due to age-related degenerative joint disease (DJD). Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is inextricably intertwined with his left shoulder disability. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion on this issue.,The Veteran has a current headache condition, but did not report currently having them during the VA examination. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran served at Camp Lejeune with presumed exposure to contaminated water. Service connection may be established on a direct basis if related to exposure. Remand necessary for VA examinations and opinions.,The Veteran has a current diabetes condition, but did not report currently having it during the VA examination. Remand necessary for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than September 5, 2014 for the grant of service connection for actinic keratosis and for initial compensable rating for actinic keratosis are denied. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues for VA examinations and obtaining updated medical records. The claims for service connection remain on hold until these matters are resolved.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's headaches, including whether they are caused by a service-connected condition.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for headaches, left knee strain, and right knee strain due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. Additional development is needed to address all theories of service connection.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from October 30, 2017 to January 27, 2022. A rating in excess of 50 percent is denied after that date.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals for service connection of headaches and tinnitus, leading to the dismissal of these cases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to secondary service connection being raised by his testimony. The AOJ must arrange VA examinations to consider both direct and secondary service connection, including assessing whether any current conditions are related to active duty service or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development and lack of substantial compliance with prior remand directives. The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including as a residual of TBI or due to an undiagnosed illness, is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for TDIU before January 17, 2017 due to incomplete records and need for an opinion on whether his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied a compensable rating for residuals of TBI, finding that the Veteran's headaches were more likely due to non-service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not about service connection.