Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and some other conditions due to lack of evidence linking these disabilities to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for migraines and erectile dysfunction due to a lack of a VA examination, which is necessary to determine if these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected alcohol/multisubstance abuse is granted as secondary to his PTSD. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied, while the Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and headache disorders are granted service connection. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder, lumbar spine disorder, lower extremity disorder (to include radiculopathy), and bilateral hip disorders are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches was increased to 50 percent, the highest available under DC 8100. The decision also found that her symptoms were very frequent and completely prostrating, causing severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's residuals from an in-service head injury are granted as service-connected.,Service connection for headaches remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board previously denied service connection for migraine headaches. The Veteran appealed, and the Court granted a JMPR to remand the case back to the Board due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset of migraines during service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a head injury, including headaches, dizziness, and a scar on the left frontal skull is granted. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's bilateral knee joint pain and headaches are presumed to be related to his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, as he served during the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for right thumb degenerative joint disease is denied. The issues of entitlement to service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, joint and muscle pain, a disability manifested by memory loss, depression, and anxiety, dizziness, left knee disability, right knee disability, and obstructive sleep apnea are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development and examination to determine the nature and etiology of any acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD; sleep disorder; lumbar spine disability; right lower extremity disability; left lower extremity disability; skin disability; right shoulder disability; left shoulder disability; bilateral hearing loss; tinnitus; headaches; and dizziness. The Veteran's period of active service is not established as honorable.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the claims for lumbosacral strain, cluster headaches, hepatitis B service connection, and TDIU can be decided. The Veteran's VA examinations were not conducted due to his failure to attend the scheduled appointments.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for migraines, and the Board dismissed the case.

Service connection has been granted for GERD.,The Veteran's claim for migraine-headaches disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between his service-connected PTSD and the headaches. The issue of whether the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left-foot 2nd toe disability and/or right knee disability remains unresolved.,The Veteran's claim for left knee condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing the relationship between his service-connected left-foot 2nd toe disability, right knee disability, and a diagnosable but medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left ankle disability was denied. The claims for higher initial ratings of adjustment disorder and tension headaches were granted, with the rating for tension headaches increased to 30% effective July 11, 2023.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to the submission of new VA treatment records and medical examination results.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lupus and migraines due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran contends that his lupus is secondary to his psychiatric disability, while his migraines are related to his sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service connection claims for scars of the left and right breasts, as well as residuals of excision of fibromas on her breasts (other than scars), are granted.,The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion to address the etiology of his headaches and ensuring that VA responds to the Veteran's request for credentials. The issues include service connection for headaches secondary to a scar above the right eye and TDIU prior to December 12, 2019.