Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal for service connection claims and a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD with MDD prior to June 7, 2017. The appeals are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, including migraines, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of migraine headache disorder did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has determined that remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a headache disability and tinnitus, as the prior VA examinations were not conducted in accordance with the Board's previous directives. The AOJ must obtain updated medical records, conduct new VA examinations to determine the nature, date of initial onset, and etiology of the Veteran's headaches and tinnitus, and consider whether service connection can be established under a direct theory.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions provided were not in substantial compliance with the September 2022 Remand directives and have ordered new VA opinions to be obtained. The claims for lumbar spine disability, right-hand disability, and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection can be decided. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to allow for consideration of all evidence, including VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to non-compliance with previous remands and a need for an examination regarding the Veteran's headaches, including migraines.

The Board has found that the VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's vertigo and migraine headaches are inadequate, necessitating further development to address whether these conditions are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and headaches, as well as their relation to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for sinusitis has been granted. The issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea and headaches have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraines and dizziness. The decision on these issues will be reconsidered after a new examination is conducted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right hip, left knee, neck, and low back disorders due to secondary service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's contentions of in-service injury are being reviewed.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines as there was a full grant of benefits in a September 2022 rating decision.,The case is remanded for further development regarding an initial compensable disability rating for chronic maxillary sinusitis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a chronic headache disability.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for spino cerebellar ataxia 5, dizziness, and leg fatigue are remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to a withdrawal request from the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for chronic headaches prior to June 17, 2013, is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of prostrating attacks averaging one in two months or more frequently.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability, right hip disability, peripheral vestibular disorder, diverticulitis, migraine headache disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea are proximately caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions associated with a head injury due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran is denied an initial compensable disability rating for posttraumatic headaches prior to March 7, 2022.,The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are granted a 50% disability rating since August 18, 2022, based on very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The claim for higher ratings prior to this date is denied.,The Veteran is denied entitlement to TDIU prior to October 19, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are being remanded because the RO has not reviewed new evidence added to the file since December 19, 2017.