Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board found that while the Veteran experienced characteristic prostrating attacks once a month, they were not very frequent or prolonged enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), headache disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and service.,The Board found that there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or incident related to the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's melanoma and eczematoid dermatitis are granted service connection. The Board finds the asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disability, headaches, and OSA issues need further development due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings for TBI and headaches, as well as a separate rating for migraine headaches. The RO must readjudicate these issues after considering the April 2019 VA examinations and addressing any potential hearing requests from the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted on a presumptive basis due to his Persian Gulf service. Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability related to his Persian Gulf service, and headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected somatization disorder.,The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for somatization disorder with depressive disorder, NOS, PTSD and memory loss prior to September 6, 2019 is granted. The issue of a higher rating after that date remains pending.

The Veteran's neurological symptoms of fatigue, memory issues, sleep impairment, and headaches are found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, GERD, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver are remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records and opinions related to service connection for headaches.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, right upper extremity (upper radicular group C5-6) associated with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical spondylosis with herniated disc at C2-3. The issue of service connection for a migraine headache disorder was remanded.

Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for hypertension is granted pursuant to the PACT Act, and service connection on a direct basis is remanded.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection and rating appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is currently working full-time and participating in training, with no evidence of his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to the need for further development, including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent disability rating, the maximum allowed under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his residual headaches due to spinal meningitis was denied. Prior to July 22, 2022, the Veteran received a 10 percent rating and after that date, he received a 50 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, migraine headaches, and PTSD. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which supports a finding that these conditions are related to an in-service fall in 1978.

The application to reopen a claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury with seizures (also claimed as TBI) is denied.,Secondary service connection for tinnitus is granted, but secondary service connection for headaches is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for intermittent tension headaches, cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, right hip strain and trochanteric pain syndrome, left hip strain and trochanteric pain syndrome, and pan sinusitis of the sphenoidal and maxillary sinuses with bilateral mastoid effusions have all been granted due to presumed exposure during service in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae and tension headaches, as additional evidence is needed.