Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's tinnitus and headaches are granted service connection, but his TBI is denied. The Board found the evidence in equipoise for tinnitus and headaches, granting them based on noise exposure and credible testimony. Service connection for TBI was denied due to lack of documented head injury or concussion during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tinnitus, hearing loss, diabetes secondary to major depressive disorder, migraines secondary to major depressive disorder, sleep apnea secondary to major depressive disorder, and memory loss are all granted. However, the effective dates prior to February 6, 2018, for these awards have not been established.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches is rated at 30 percent effective July 7, 2014. A higher rating is denied.

The Veteran's increased rating for left foot metatarsalgia is denied. A 10 percent disability rating for TBI residuals from July 13, 2010 is granted. Service connection for post-concussive disorder is granted. The case is remanded to determine if service connection should be granted for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's acute intermittent tension headaches are granted a 50 percent disability rating, while the appeal for a higher TBI rating is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as secondary to Migraine Headaches, finding no current diagnosis of MDD in the record.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, headaches, and a psychiatric disorder (variously diagnosed as major depressive disorder and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder).,Increased SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ claim is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and earlier effective dates for service connection were denied. The maximum schedular rating available for tinnitus is 10 percent, which the Veteran already has.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of migraine headaches has been dismissed because he withdrew his claims.

The claims for service connection of various conditions are being remanded due to the failure to provide proper notice and assistance prior to the April 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and migraines render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 50 percent rating, the maximum schedular rating. The issue of a higher rating for PTSD with depression and TBI residuals is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The right elbow fracture claim remains denied, headaches are granted with a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 22, 2017 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, and the jaw condition is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective April 10, 2014. His sinusitis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective December 29, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and chronic strains of both knees prevent her from securing and following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has denied service connection for hypoglycemia as it is a laboratory finding and not a disability subject to service connection. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and headaches are remanded due to deficiencies in the duty to assist, inadequate VA examination, and failure to address certain theories of service connection.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,A compensable rating for PTSD from August 21, 2018 to May 2, 2019 is denied.,Service connection for forgetfulness is denied.,Service connection for narcolepsy is denied.,Service connection for a right elbow disorder is denied.,Service connection for a left elbow disorder is denied.,Service connection for a right wrist disorder is denied.,Service connection for a left wrist disorder is denied.,Service connection for a right hip disorder is denied.,Service connection for a left hip disorder is denied.,Service connection for a headache disorder is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a GI disorder (IBS) and migraine headaches have been granted due to the submission of new evidence. The decision is pending further clarification from medical experts regarding causation or aggravation.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that it is not factually ascertainable that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 23, 2020.