Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for ear disability/vertigo and headaches as these claims have been granted.,Service connection is granted for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and strain, but the Veteran's sinusitis was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, particularly headaches and left shoulder disability. The Veteran is presumed sound at entry into service, so any preexisting conditions must be shown to have been aggravated by service or not clearly and unmistakably exist prior to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examination opinions regarding her migraine headache disorder and skin disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder injury, left hip injury, right hamstring muscle injury, left ankle sprain, neck disorder with headaches, back pain disorder, and chest pain disorder. The VA will provide additional examinations to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand several service connection claims due to the need for further development regarding the Veteran's duty status and treatment records. The issues include allergic rhinitis, avitaminosis (secondary to IBS), dermoid cyst, bilateral hearing loss, irritable bowel syndrome, left tympanoplasty, a back disability, and migraines.

The Veteran's appeal for additional VR&E services, including training to pursue a medical degree, was granted. The Board found that the Veteran had service-connected disabilities and functional limitations that made it necessary to change his rehabilitation goal from biomedical sciences to medicine.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for bilateral foot condition, IBS, PTSD, and TDIU.

The claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI with cognitive and sleep disorder is dismissed.,The claim for an effective date prior to June 26, 2017, for a separate evaluation for headaches, status post TBI is dismissed.,The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied.,The claims for effective dates prior to October 5, 2006, for the grant of service connection for breathing disability with shortness of breath and PTSD are denied.,The claims for ratings in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are dismissed as they were not factually ascertainable within a year prior to June 26, 2017.,The claim for TDIU is dismissed as the Veteran's combined disability rating from June 26, 2017, already meets the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and secondary service connection for sinusitis and headaches related to her broken teeth residuals including TMJ are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a right shoulder/arm disability, lumbar spine disability, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions in the January 2021 VA examination report. The Veteran's statements regarding chronic symptoms since service discharge are found not credible.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus and migraines have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, nor could it be presumed due to exposure to noise during service.,For the bilateral pes planus claim, additional development is required as there are conflicting opinions regarding whether the Veteran's pre-existing condition was aggravated by basic training. The Board also noted that the bilateral knee and right ankle disorders may be related to the pes planus.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD; and for an eye disability. The claims for service connection for a low back disability, skin disorder, headaches, and diabetes mellitus are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for tinnitus is dismissed. The claim to reopen his pneumonia service connection is granted, but the case is remanded for further development on all issues.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left shoulder and ankle conditions, knee degenerative joint disease, radiculopathy, skin disorders, cervical spine disability, facial injury residuals, TMJ, sleep apnea, headaches, hand tremors, CFS, fibromyalgia, and muscle and joint pain. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to properly evaluate these issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for residuals of an in-service head injury, including headaches and dizziness. The Veteran's assertions and lay statements are considered.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left hip disability, left eye condition (other than ocular migraines), restless leg syndrome, residuals of esophageal diverticulum, skin disability to include psoriasis, tinea pedis and tinea corporis, and sleep apnea. The Board has found the VA medical opinions inadequate and remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's initial disability rating for migraine headaches was granted at a 50 percent level, effective as of the date of decision. The appeal for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and TDIU is remanded.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the Veteran's migraine headaches, finding that his symptoms were consistent and severe throughout the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral elbow, back, bilateral hip, and headache disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The VA examiner is required to provide an opinion on the etiology of these conditions.