Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions due to her withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depression has been denied.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for insomnia disorder is also denied, with the case being remanded to consider additional issues.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50% and his sinusitis is granted a TDIU. The rating for sinusitis remains at 30%. The issues of increased ratings for right shoulder, ankle, and pes planus have been remanded.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for service-connected headaches, effective April 29, 2021. The Veteran's daily headaches lasting about an hour with some nausea are considered characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over several months.

The Veteran's rating for chronic migraines was reduced from 50% to 30%, but the Board has restored the original 50% rating as it found that there was no actual improvement in her condition and thus, the reduction was not proper.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including concussion, headaches, nose bleeds, hip pain, leg cramps and numbness, and shoulder condition, are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and a failure to obtain correctional facility medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his headache conditions, including whether they are related to service or secondary to his service-connected sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 20 percent from April 24, 2017 and continuing. The Veteran's headache disorder is granted a 50 percent rating effective August 8, 2022.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for service-connected dysphagia and tension headaches were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for dysphagia or 30 percent for tension headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches, specifically whether they are proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine condition and headaches as secondary to the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraines is denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is remanded.

The Board found that the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $12,814.20 was proper and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's constipation and headaches were found to have started during service and continued thereafter, meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and migraine headaches due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran was not properly notified of his scheduled VA examinations and it is unclear whether he was incarcerated at the time of these exams. Additionally, SSA disability benefits records are needed.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on multiple service-connected conditions, including right knee disorders, PTSD, migraines, and TBI with vertigo, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has directed another remand due to the Veteran not being notified of a scheduled VA examination for his service-connected tension headaches. The case is now back with the AOJ for further action.

The Board has found the prior remand directives not substantially complied with and has ordered a new examination to address whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a respiratory disorder and tension headaches have been denied. The claim for Tension Headaches has also been remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities other than panic disorder was denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities other than her panic disorder.