Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is granted. This decision is based on the PACT Act of 2022 which provides presumptive service connection for certain disabilities that became manifest to any degree at any time in covered Persian Gulf veterans.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective from October 31, 2016. The left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve is rated at 40 percent effective from October 31, 2016 and a separate rating of 20 percent for the left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve is granted from July 30, 2019.

The Veteran's IBS and headache condition have been granted service connection on a direct basis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for headache disability, which is secondary to a service-connected neck disability, and for TDIU due to one or more service-connected disabilities. The remand requires an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's headaches and his service-connected neck disability.

The Board has remanded three issues: headaches, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, and TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have worsened since the last examinations, necessitating new evaluations.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 50 percent disability rating for service-connected headaches, finding that the reduction was not based on clear and sufficient evidence of sustained material improvement.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of entitlement to TDIU and a rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches due to potential outstanding SSA records and employment information.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and headaches have been denied. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional evidence and determine the appropriate rating.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding private treatment records from Dr. W.H.B.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot, lumbar, and migraine disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to a significant length of time since the last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations and opinions to determine if the Veteran's nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected migraine headaches, and for an assessment of the severity of his migraine headache disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, a heart condition (including hypertension), a bilateral condition, a left ankle disability, and a right ankle disability due to incomplete records from the VA Medical Center in Long Beach, California prior to 1997.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for migraines prior to June 8, 2021, and a rating in excess of 10 percent thereafter was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings based on the frequency and severity of his headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including migraine headaches and restless leg syndrome, have been granted. The remaining issues are remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of environmental exposures.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for migraine headaches, including migraine variants, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations regarding her service-connected right knee patellofemoral syndrome and left foot pes planus.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, right wrist, back, and headaches conditions due to presumed exposure to burn pits. The claims are remanded for additional development including VA medical opinions on etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed headaches, dizziness, and nausea disabilities. The issues on appeal are service connection for these conditions as secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for psychiatric disability, headache disability, and nasal disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, glaucoma, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, and headaches, all claimed as secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.