Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hearing loss and lumbosacral strain, as well as his service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder and headaches, require additional evidence due to the passage of time since their last examinations. The Veteran is also required to have a thorough search conducted for all Air National Guard service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examination reports and insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions. The Veteran is required to undergo additional VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to a compensable rating for migraine headaches and service connection for a heart condition, as secondary to service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for migraine headaches prior to January 9, 2020 was denied. From January 9, 2020 onwards, the Veteran is in receipt of a 50 percent rating for his migraines.

The Veteran's lumbar spine DDD and chronic headache syndrome ratings have been restored to their original levels.,Effective February 23, 2013, the Veteran became eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA).

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective April 29, 2008. The Board granted a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's initial ratings for migraine headaches and PTSD/MDD have been granted. However, the appeal is mixed as some issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence or further development needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for ganglion cyst, right wrist; heart problems; depression due to marital problem; right knee injury; migraine headaches; and allergies/hay fever have been denied. The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's glaucoma.

The Board has found pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the service connection claims for TBI residuals, BPPV, and migraines. The Veteran's head injuries during service are acknowledged, but there is insufficient evidence linking her current conditions to these incidents.

The Board has determined that there were procedural errors and remands are necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI residuals, BPPV, and migraines.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected tension headaches was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches were not productive of prostrating attacks, and thus did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, infertility, GERD, a right shoulder condition, a hip condition, a headache condition, and chronic sinusitis have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for his left knee condition.

The Veteran's representative filed a motion to withdraw the appeal for multiple service connection claims, including asthma, flat feet, impingement syndrome in left ankle (claimed as ankle pain), left injured knee and chronic pain, migraines, right ankle pain, and right injured knee and chronic pain. The Board dismissed these appeals due to the withdrawal.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disability is granted a 50% rating, but no higher, due to very frequent prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's migraines are related to her service-connected PTSD, and the Board granted service connection for this condition. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and right hip trochanteric pain syndrome as secondary to pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current disability.,Tinnitus has been granted service connection, with the Board resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.,For tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae, a rating in excess of 10 percent is not warranted due to lack of evidence showing more than 20% body or exposed area affected.,The Veteran's low back disorder, left lower extremity sciatica, right lower extremity sciatica, erectile dysfunction, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all remanded for further development as VA examinations may be necessary to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.,Chronic sinusitis and headaches have been remanded due to lack of evidence showing current disability or in-service event.

The appeal seeking service connection for headaches is dismissed. The appeal for a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis is remanded.

The Board has found significant deficiencies in the claims file and has ordered remand for several issues, including obtaining military personnel records, a TERA examination, and verifying stressors. The Veteran's TBI and headache disorders are also being examined to determine their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating issues due to insufficient medical records. The case is also remanded for an addendum opinion on PTSD, a headache disability evaluation, and VA examinations for lumbosacral strain, DDD, Schamberg's disease, and hypertension.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to service connection due to the death of the appellant.