Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for headaches, interstitial cystitis, an intestinal condition, a right hip disability, and a left hip disability have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI residuals, migraine headaches, PTSD with depression, and pansinusitis including headaches have been granted. The Veteran is also awarded a 50% rating for his pansinusitis condition since September 16, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arachnoid cyst of the brain with headaches is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing his history of an arachnoid cyst.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability is remanded as there is no supporting evidence linking it to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was manifested by hearing acuity of no worse than Level I in the right ear and no worse than Level III in the left ear. The claim for a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran should be provided with a VA examination to determine if he currently has a TBI, and whether his other claimed disabilities are secondary to it. His current headaches may also be related to service, including his claimed head injuries and exposure to cannon and howitzer fire.,A VA examiner should provide an opinion on the relationship between the Veteran's sleep apnea and PTSD.,The Veteran's detached retina is remanded for further evaluation as a secondary condition to TBI.,The Veteran's left middle trigger/locked finger, right middle trigger/locked finger, left ring trigger finger, and right ring trigger finger are all remanded for further evaluation as secondary conditions to TBI.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further evaluation as a secondary condition to PTSD.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for migraine headaches prior to November 5, 2019 was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not experience characteristic prostrating attacks of pain before this date.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for a head injury/TBI, increased ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD/ADHD, and a petition to reopen left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to unclear consideration of relevant service treatment records in the November 2018 rating decision, and for reconsideration based on all evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection claims and increased rating claims for his bilateral knee disabilities, frequent migraines, right heel tendonitis with pain, left heel tendonitis with pain, and right elbow disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, an acquired psychiatric disability (now depression), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), to include neurocognitive disorder and headaches, due to conflicting VA opinions and lack of clear evidence regarding TBI exposure. The case is returned for further review.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, left elbow pain, low back pain, left knee pain, and right knee pain. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.,Service connection was not granted as there is no persuasive medical evidence linking any of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent, effective November 21, 2023. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms to be very frequent and prostrating, leading to severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals regarding the service connection claims for epilepsy, vision condition, migraine headaches, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, lung cancer, right hip disability, neck disability, and back disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined-effects medical examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to errors in previous decisions, including failure to adequately address functional ankylosis and neurologic impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date are remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim for service connection for headaches and remanded other claims including those for a neck disability, sleep disorder, scarring of the lower back, and TDIU prior to July 28, 2021. The AOJ must obtain additional medical opinions addressing these matters.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including generalized anxiety disorder with insomnia, migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral conjunctivitis, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for migraines is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for optic nerve damage due to VA treatment/lack of treatment was denied.,Service connection claims for a low back disorder, sleep disorder, gastrointestinal (GI) disorder, head injury, dizziness, and headache with sinus disorder were all denied on the basis that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.