Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board denied service connection for bilateral pes planus, headache disorder, right knee disability, and left knee disability due to the preexisting nature of these conditions and lack of evidence showing they were aggravated by service.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU is also remanded as it may be impacted by these other claims.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the current issues on the appeal, including a VA examination for TBI and contemporaneous examinations for other disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, as he was employed full-time in a protected work environment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral otitis media, fibromyalgia, and a headache disorder due to insufficient evidence in some cases. The Veteran is required to provide VA treatment records and undergo VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent since April 22, 2022. The Board found the evidence showed very frequent and completely prostrating attacks of migraines that significantly impacted his ability to work.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbosacral strain and lumbar stenosis are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Disease and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The increased rating for lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and migraine headaches were remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's residuals of left breast fibroadenoma and headaches are granted as service-connected.,Both conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has granted service connection for OSA as aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected insomnia disorder, major depressive disorder, and anxious distress (acquired psychiatric disorders). The claims for neck disability, back disability, and headaches have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for headaches, a lung condition including asthma, and sleep apnea due to missing VA treatment records and the need for a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) report. The Veteran's military personnel records indicate he worked as an auto weapons crewman, gunner, and cannoneer with an artillery battery and as a heavy truck driver during his active service.

The Board has restored the Veteran's PTSD and headaches ratings to their previous levels, finding that the reductions were improper due to a lack of actual improvement in symptoms.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, bilateral hearing loss, tension headaches, PTSD with alcohol use disorder and TBI residuals, left sciatic radicular pain, and right sciatic radicular pain are all denied. The Veteran is granted service connection for left and right sciatic radicular pain.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left knee strain, and TMJ left side are all found to be at least as likely as not caused by her service. The right knee strain is denied due to lack of contemporaneous documentation. The tension headaches and cervical strain are also found to be related to the Veteran's service.,The Veteran's current diagnoses of lumbar strain, left knee strain, TMJ left side, tension headaches, and cervical strain have been determined to be at least as likely as not caused by her military service.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for sleep apnea is dismissed. The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected due to a verified in-service stressor.,His posttraumatic headache disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, headaches, and left knee disability are granted. The Veteran is assigned a noncompensable rating for her right knee stress fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected neck, headaches, and left knee disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 14, 2009. The Board has granted TDIU for the entire period on appeal.