Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left ankle condition and tension headaches.

The Veteran's left hip strain is caused by his service-connected radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The Board finds that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's bilateral flat feet are caused or aggravated by his service-connected ankles.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depressive disorder, chronic cervicogenic tension related headaches, compression fracture T7, right knee degenerative joint disease, cervical strain, tinnitus, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome and dermatitis, have prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 28, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder is reopened, and the case is remanded for further examination to determine the nature and etiology of his headaches. The PTSD rating is also remanded due to potential increase in severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are proximately due to or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for headaches secondary to PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been decided. The rating for dry skin syndrome - dermatoheliosis and actinic keratosis remains at 10 percent, while the issues of service connection for cervical strain (neck disability), traumatic brain injury, headache, left TMJ, right ear otalgia, hearing loss, and tinnitus have all been addressed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent prior to October 15, 2018. The Board finds the disability picture shown in the October 2018 VA examination report best represents her disability for this period.,The Veteran has multiple service-connected disabilities that require further evaluation and clarification of their etiology.

The Veteran's headaches, hypertension, bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis, and urethral strictures have been granted service connection effective November 1, 2018.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's kidney disorder has not been linked to his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be caused and/or aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, thus granting service connection for this condition.,There is no evidence of a trigger finger condition during the appeal period. The Veteran's current symptoms are attributed to her already service-connected right index finger herpetic whitlow.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for TERA examinations considering his exposure to toxic substances during his service in Southwest Asia.

Prior to September 25, 2019, the Veteran's migraines were rated at 30 percent and denied an increased rating.,From September 25, 2019, the Veteran's migraines were rated at 50 percent and granted.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches and visual spatial impairment secondary to his TBI are granted. A TDIU is granted from May 19, 2010, on an extraschedular basis. The initial compensable rating for TBI is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including consideration of newly-obtained service records and medical opinions. The appellant's current hearing loss disability does not meet VA criteria for a hearing loss disability. For other conditions, the Board finds that there is no evidence to support their onset in service or relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for constipation, tension headaches, left leg disability, right leg disability, and dental/jaw condition (TMJ disorder) are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted service connection as a chronic condition that started during his active service. However, the Veteran's TBI residuals are denied as there is no current diagnosis of such and the symptoms he reports are more likely related to other causes.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 50 percent rating, while his hypothyroidism with Grave's disease is denied an initial compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a right foot disability, and a headache disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, a penile disorder, diabetes mellitus type II, and TMJ dysfunction. The appeals are remanded for additional development regarding COPD, right lung removal, and a headache disorder.,SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied as there is no service-connected disability related to the Veteran's condition.

The Board has granted service connection for an undiagnosed illness that manifests as sinus-related respiratory problems and headaches, as due to a qualifying chronic disability. The Veteran's symptoms have been found to warrant a compensable rating under either the General Rating Formula for Sinusitis or Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's migraines are granted with a 30% rating prior to November 22, 2022 and denied for any increased rating thereafter. The maximum schedular rating of 50% is already assigned.