Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder on a presumptive basis, finding that the Veteran's headaches manifested during service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's case for a VA examination to address his TBI disability and for development of outstanding medical records. The issues of increased rating for TBI with posttraumatic headaches and entitlement to TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is rated at 50 percent, costochondritis with thoracolumbar lumbar strain at 40 percent, cervical spine degenerative disc disease at 30 percent, left upper extremity radiculopathy at 20 percent, and migraines at 10 percent. All other claims are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Board found that there was no evidence linking the Veteran's current headache condition to his active military service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted a 70 percent rating, headaches and obstructive sleep apnea are service connected as due to his adjustment disorder, and lumbar spine disability (degenerative arthritis) is also service connected. Other conditions have not been linked to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining new medical opinions on service connection claims and addressing a resource submitted by the Veteran regarding hypertension.

The Veteran's total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) claim is granted due to the combined disability rating of his service-connected conditions meeting the schedular requirements.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and granted it. The effective date is fixed in accordance with the facts found, but shall not be earlier than the date of receipt of an application therefor.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of TBI, including migraine headaches and PTSD is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also remanded as it involves a history of service-connected disabilities that may have aggravated his condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, renal condition, migraine headaches, right hip condition, and left hip condition as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches are rated at 50% for the entire appeal period, with a finding of reasonable doubt in favor of granting this higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a VA examination to determine if his current head injury residuals are related to service, including an in-service head injury. The appeal is not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act or Agent Orange.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his physical and mental abilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has been denied as there is no evidence linking the current condition to his military service.,The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability and stomach condition need further development due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's lay statements and STRs.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as she did not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Her migraine headaches were also rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent.,The Veteran was granted TDIU and SMC at the housebound rate due to her service-connected migraine disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current headache disorder. The claims of an initial compensable rating prior to October 27, 2010 and in excess of 40 percent thereafter for bilateral hearing loss; the issue of whether the Veteran's pension was correctly reduced on October 1, 2005; the issue of the validity of a debt assessed pursuant to reduction in the Veteran's pension; and entitlement to a waiver of the recovery of a debt resulting from an overpayment in the amount of $31,501.00 are all remanded.

TDIU was denied for the period from August 28, 2017 to December 1, 2020 due to the Veteran's ability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.,TDIU was granted beginning on December 1, 2020 as the Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to PTSD alone.,Special monthly compensation at the housebound rate was granted starting from December 1, 2020.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are granted a 30 percent disability rating prior to August 9, 2022.,A higher than 50 percent disability rating for the Veteran's headaches since August 9, 2022 is denied.

The Veteran's back disability is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's bilateral ankle disabilities are denied due to lack of current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities are denied because the Veteran did not have any diagnosed foot or ankle conditions during service, and there is no evidence of aggravation in-service.,The Veteran's skin disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's headaches are denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis and no credible continuity of symptomatology.,The Veteran's tinnitus is denied due to lack of a chronic in-service condition and no credible continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, and a separate compensable rating of 30 percent for headaches. The lumbosacral spine disability remains at 20 percent, while the cervical spine disability is denied any increase beyond the current 10 percent.