Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain all private treatment records related to the Veteran's migraine headaches. The AOJ must make reasonable efforts to obtain these records and associate them with the claims file.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left knee disabilities were granted service connection as they had their onset in active service.,Service connection for a headache disability, linked to the cervical spine disability, was also granted.

The Board has dismissed all service connection appeals due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's GERD is remanded for a new medical opinion to address the onset and relationship of his condition during service or with any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's hypertension is remanded for a new medical opinion to address its onset and relationship with any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's headaches are remanded for a new medical opinion to address their relationship with any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the VA examiners' opinions are inadequate and remands the case for additional examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 16, 2012 for the grant of SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(1) based on the need for aid and attendance is dismissed. An initial 60 percent rating for seborrheic dermatitis is granted. A rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines is denied.

The Veteran's pituitary brain tumor and Crohn's disease are granted service connection due to the evidence showing onset during service. The PACT Act requires a VA examination for toxic exposure risk activities.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for migraine headaches and service connection for sleep apnea were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's 50% rating for mixed type headaches is restored as the evidence does not show actual and sustained improvement of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and a headache disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic sinusitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), hemorrhoids, and migraines is granted. The PACT Act recognizes these conditions as presumptive due to burn pit exposure.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for migraines, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy was denied. The Veteran is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling from January 10, 2022, for migraines. Initial evaluations of 30 percent and no more, for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy were granted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's migraines, low back disability, left knee disability, and bilateral ankle disabilities are related to service exposure to burn pits. The PACT Act requires this examination.

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic sinusitis and allergic rhinitis is granted.,Other claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain, headaches associated with post-concussive syndrome (PCS), and psychiatric disorder associated with PCS are all rated based on their individual merits. The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating due to lack of limitation of motion or instability. The Veteran's headaches do not meet criteria for a compensable rating.,Service connection is denied for an acquired psychiatric condition and a right shoulder condition.

The Veteran's chronic headache disability is granted service connection. The skin condition claim (claimed as multiple melanomas) and TDIU prior to June 12, 2018 are both remanded for further review.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest possible rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board found that his migraines were characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted a separate rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's headaches as a neurological impairment associated with his service-connected cervical spine disability, finding that he experiences characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for his right wrist and hand disabilities, bradycardia with right bundle branch block, cervical strain, and migraine headache disorder have been granted. Effective dates prior to April 13, 2018, are established.