Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's GERD was granted a 10 percent rating prior to May 10, 2022 and a 30 percent rating beginning on that date.,A 10 percent rating for hypertension was granted prior to January 14, 2019. No higher rating is warranted after that date.,The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a 50 percent rating effective from May 10, 2022.,No higher ratings are warranted for either GERD or hypertension.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and left eye condition due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's statements about his service injuries are assumed credible unless inconsistent with medical evidence or principles.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development. The issues of increased evaluations for asthma, migraine headaches, cervical spine strain post fusion C5-C6 with disc bulging and stenosis, and lumbago with L3-L4 disc herniation are all pending. A total disability rating based on individual unemployment (TDIU) prior to September 20, 2021 is also pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of seizure disorder, residuals of a stroke, or syncope and has not had these conditions at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.,Regarding her claimed acquired psychiatric disorder (Panic Disorder), the Board finds that there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it clearly and unmistakably preexisted service. The Veteran's panic symptoms are attributed to unknown causes, and she cannot resolve whether they were caused by or a result of service-connected activities without resorting to mere speculation.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service and aggravation by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to its manifestation within the 10-year presumptive period following separation from active service in Afghanistan.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disorder is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is granted as service-connected due to its aggravation by her major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as service-connected with an increased rating required based on the frequency and severity of attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis at L5-S1 prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss but dismissed the claim for headaches, to include as secondary to service-connected sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased rating of migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss disability, back disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability. The Veteran's claim for an initial 30 percent rating prior to September 20, 2016, for migraine headaches is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected deviated septum, but further examination and medical opinion are needed to establish this relationship.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of chloracne, migraines, kidney condition (including recurrent kidney stones), stomach or bowel disorder, and PTSD. The Veteran's private treatment records need to be obtained for all conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the issues of TBI with headaches, left knee strain, right knee strain, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches, specifically whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's headaches associated with otitis media are granted a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of this decision.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed headache, IBS, and GERD disabilities. The Board also denied service connection for his left knee, right heel, and right ankle disabilities as secondary to service-connected PTSD, scar of the right ankle, tinnitus, and/or other conditions. No rating was assigned.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed since withdrawn. The appeal to establish entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches, secondary to service-connected posttraumatic seizures, is remanded.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated as 0 percent disabling, and the claim for a compensable rating is denied.,For the period prior to July 28, 2018, the Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 8100. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,From July 28, 2018, the Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, which is the highest available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The claim for a higher rating is denied.,The effective date of January 22, 2018, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for TBI and migraine headache disorder is granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, rheumatoid arthritis, a lumbar spine disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, a right wrist disorder, and a left wrist disorder. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 17, 2018 due to a lack of evidence showing that her service-connected disabilities alone rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, OSA disability, and headache disability. The remand is due to incomplete or insufficient medical opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinion regarding service connection for headaches, which were conceded to be related to environmental exposures in Southwest Asia.