Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep disorder, lumbar spine strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, left and right knee strains, migraine headaches, other residuals of TBI, and other specified trauma and/or stressor-related disorder may be related to his service in Southwest Asia or secondary to a service-connected disability. The Board has also noted that the Veteran's employment history needs to be verified for the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus and tension headaches have been granted service connection. The claim for left chest disability, including gynecomastia, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a headache disorder, claimed as migraines, has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further examination and evaluation due to a procedural error in obtaining recent medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for migraine headaches, as claimed secondary to PTSD with unspecified anxiety disorder and depression. The Veteran was scheduled for a VA examination but failed to report. A new opinion is needed to determine if his current migraine headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is related to his active-duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The claims for migraine headaches and dizziness and nausea are remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for migraine headaches is denied as it was filed after a final rating decision in May 2009.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for TBI is remanded.,The Veteran's claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring VA examinations and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's claimed conditions are caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his in-service noise exposure, including from using hearing aids and tinnitus. As such, service connection for these headaches is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, but denied service connection for migraine headaches and erectile dysfunction. The decision finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is at least as likely as not related to his in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for TBI, acquired psychiatric disorder, and headache disability are being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's tension headaches are not rated as compensable due to the lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.,Service connection for radiculopathy, left and right lower extremities is denied because there is no diagnosis of such conditions in the evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an effective date of December 20, 2019.,Initial ratings were denied for bilateral hearing loss and chloracne.

The claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, headache disorder, sleep apnea, and left knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a headache disorder, as these conditions are claimed to be related to his service-connected tinnitus and degenerative arthritis bilateral knees, s/p total arthroplasty left knee.

The Veteran's appeal includes issues related to his migraine headaches, hypertension, left shoulder disability, arthritis of the hands and right foot. The Board has determined that additional development is needed for these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence and a need for clarification regarding the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and her in-service exposures, particularly related to Gulf War service.