Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for abscesses of the buttocks, neck, scalp, groin, and pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied. The Board has also identified additional issues needing further development: service connection for a GI disorder, headaches, and vertigo.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her migraine headaches, cervical spine condition, right shoulder arthroscopic bursectomy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, back injury, nerve damage, plantar fasciitis (also claimed as foot pain), chest pain, sleep apnea, a head injury, and anxiety due to an invalid Notice of Disagreement submitted in March 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, tension headaches, and sinus headaches. The appeal for a left ankle disability and heart condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for tinnitus and service connection for hearing loss have been dismissed.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for headaches has been granted, but his claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) secondary to headaches has been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a headache disability due to incomplete development of evidence, including the need for medical opinions regarding the onset and aggravation of these conditions during active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for gastrointestinal disability, residuals of bilateral testicular torsion, allergic rhinitis, and headaches. The Veteran's conditions are found to have their onset during his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim from October 6, 2009, to December 26, 2012, is granted. The evidence is in equipoise as to whether the service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for residuals of a heat stroke, headache condition, right leg condition, acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and heart condition. The appeals are granted to this extent.

The Board has granted service connection for anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and erectile dysfunction (ED) as due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disorder. Service connection is remanded for asthma, right knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee tendonitis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, migraines, and a bilateral foot disorder.

The Board has dismissed all pending appeals related to service connection for various conditions, including erectile dysfunction, hip conditions, back and neck disabilities, vision issues, coughing, numbness in arms and legs, migraines, and PTSD. The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeals prior to the decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for IBS, joint pain, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, all of which are considered symptoms of a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness (MUCMI) related to the Veteran's Gulf War service.

The Veteran's appeal for a temporary total disability rating was dismissed because he did not file an appeal for this issue.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. His bilateral hearing loss and headaches are denied, while his TBI, back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy receive initial ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee arthritis is denied. The cervical spine condition and acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia secondary to migraines and a broken jaw) are remanded.,Service connection for the cervical spine condition is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is also remanded as it may be related to the in-service dental surgery. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for facial paralysis are also remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia secondary to migraines and a broken jaw) is also remanded as it may be related to the in-service dental surgery. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for facial paralysis are also remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia secondary to migraines and a broken jaw) is also remanded as it may be related to the in-service dental surgery. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for facial paralysis are also remanded.,The Veteran's cervical spine condition is remanded due to its potential secondary nature to the lumbar spine disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (insomnia secondary to migraines and a broken jaw) is also remanded as it may be related to the in-service dental surgery. The compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for facial paralysis are also remanded.

The Veteran's tension headaches and left ankle disability manifested by pain are granted service connection.,The Veteran's hypertension, secondary to major depressive disorder, right ankle sprain/residuals of fibula fracture, and left ankle disability manifested by pain is granted service connection.,The Veteran's bilateral hypertensive retinopathy, secondary to hypertension, is granted service connection.

The Veteran is seeking additional retroactive VA disability compensation benefits under the CRSC program for the period from December 2011 to April 2015, and he also wants to know if it was proper to withhold his VA disability compensation benefits due to a retired pay adjustment. The Board has ordered further action to review these issues.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder was denied, but new and material evidence having been received, the claim is reopened. Service connection for a headache disorder is denied.,Service connection for asthma with OSA is remanded due to insufficient evidence of increased disability within one year prior to November 27, 2017.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, chest pain, a back injury, nerve damage, a head injury, anxiety, headaches, and foot pain (plantar fasciitis) due to procedural errors in the appeal process.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance based on her service-connected disabilities.