Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for tension and migraine headaches was dismissed because the April 2019 decision was not considered an initial decision under the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA).

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity and manifestations of his condition during the entire rating period.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection on a presumptive basis. The Veteran's chronic fatigue syndrome is remanded for further review, including consideration of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headache and ulcerative colitis have been granted.,The Board has also remanded the Veteran's claims for left and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches is granted at a 30 percent level, as their symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective March 21, 2017. The claim of a higher rating for residuals of pilon fracture of the right tibia with arthritis and scar on the right iliac crest donor site is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tension headaches, TDIU, housebound rate compensation, and Dependents' Educational Assistance are being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records.

The Board has determined that there have been issues with the development of records and opinions related to the Veteran's claims for service connection. The GERD, OSA, headaches, and BXO claims are all remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his tension headaches was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating before November 22, 2023.,After November 22, 2023, the Veteran's condition remained at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent.

The Board has remanded the issue of whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected sinusitis. The case is sent back for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for a suppressed immune system and susceptibility to upper respiratory infection. The initial rating for sinus headaches and the initial compensable rating for right ear hearing loss are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to chemical exposure and herbicide exposure, but did not assign a rating or effective date.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and persistent depressive disorder are found to have begun during active service, and the Board has granted service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for migraine headaches, including those associated with obstructive sleep apnea, is denied. The current ratings are appropriate based on the frequency and severity of his migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disability, but denied service connection for vision problems and a sleep disability (claimed as narcolepsy).

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, hysterectomy, migraine headaches, left knee condition, and anemia as the evidence did not support a current disability or link to service.,For each condition, the Board found that there was no competent evidence demonstrating a relationship between the claimed conditions and any incident of service.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder is part of his PTSD and does not result in a separate disability. His PTSD results in total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's PTSD warrants an initial rating of 100%.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, finding that his current diagnosis of migraines began during active service and continues to this day. The Board considered the Veteran's lay statements about experiencing symptoms in service and found them credible.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50 percent from March 12, 2019. The effective date for this rating is set as March 12, 2019, which was the date of his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for an initial 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and service connection for PTSD, both effective from October 2, 2005.