Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination reports and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's headache disability, its relationship to service, and whether it is secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and a psychiatric disorder (claimed as a sleep disorder). The case is remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding radiculopathy of the lower extremities and headache disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to PTSD. The claims for back and neck disabilities, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear medical evidence regarding the frequency and severity of the Veteran's migraine headaches. An additional VA examination is required to clarify these details.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, PTSD, migraine, and tinnitus have been granted. The appeals for increased evaluations and the TDIU claim are still pending.

Service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.,The Veteran's headaches, neck disorder, back disorder, heart disorder, hypertension, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), anxiety, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and depression are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral spondylosis with spinal fusion.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30 percent rating, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% prior to May 19, 2021 and denied for a higher rating. The cardiac disability is rated at 30% prior to January 30, 2023 and denied for a higher rating.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were rated at 30 percent effective May 1, 2022, based on his self-reported frequency and severity of migraines. The Board found that the evidence supported a higher rating from this date onwards.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected anxiety disorder. The Veteran is also granted TDIU due to the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's chronic mixed-type vascular migraine and muscle contraction headaches were rated at a 30% prior to May 1, 2006. From May 1, 2006 to January 27, 2010, he was granted a 50% rating due to very frequent completely prostrating attacks. However, from January 28, 2010, the Veteran's headaches were rated at 30%. The appeal is mixed as some issues were granted and others denied.

The Veteran's cervicogenic headaches are caused by her service-connected cervical spine disability.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine strain is related to a period of active air service.,The Veteran's left shoulder strain is related to a period of active air service.,The Veteran's chest pain, secondary to service-connected adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, is caused by her service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional development is needed due to inconsistencies in previous medical opinions and new evidence of service participation in toxic exposure activities (TERA).

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70% rating, and the cases for migraines and right knee patellofemoral syndrome are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation.,Service connection for the right knee disorder, left arm disorder, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder are all denied.,Service connection for diabetes, back disorder, shoulder disorder, TBI (head injury) with memory loss, neck disorder, hypertension (high blood pressure), cerebral vascular accident (CVA, strokes), headaches, and PTSD is also denied.,The Veteran's vision loss was not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and their relationship to service. The VA will also obtain updated treatment records, conduct TERA examinations, and schedule further examinations as needed.

The Veteran's spouse, K.M., is recognized as his dependent effective March 3, 2017. The Veteran was previously married to a deceased former spouse and the removal of her from his award took place on February 1, 2016.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart palpitations, migraine headaches, and a snoring disorder. The claim for sinus disorder is also being remanded as it was not addressed in the previous rating decisions.,Service connection for sinusitis (presumed due to exposure to fine particulate matter during service) and allergic rhinitis are granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rating increases for his lumbar and cervical spine conditions, as well as headaches. Additional medical records are needed to support these claims.