Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has dismissed the appeal for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches. The remaining claims are remanded and will be reconsidered with additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches, diabetes mellitus, prostate cancer residuals, hemorrhoids, and erectile dysfunction have been granted. The Veteran also has increased ratings for his prostate cancer residuals and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn.,For the period prior to June 19, 2017, his cervical spine disability is not shown to meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's PTSD with TBI and migraines were granted service connection effective October 13, 2015. The Veteran was awarded a 50% rating for PTSD with TBI.,An increased rating of migraine headaches to more than 50% is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches (migraine and tension headaches) as secondary to a service-connected temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disability, but denied service connection for fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's initial 30% disability rating for migraines is being remanded due to a request for an increased rating. A new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and frequency of his headaches, including whether they are prostrating.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied.,No new or material evidence was submitted to reopen the claims of bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and gastrointestinal condition.

The Board has determined that there is new and material evidence to warrant readjudicating the service connection claims for ankylosing spondylitis, sleep apnea, cervicogenic headaches, hemorrhoids, neuropathic pain at post herniorrhaphy site, erectile dysfunction, three (3) brain tumors on left side above C1-C6 vertebrae spinal cord, and traumatic hip injury. The claims are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's initial rating for hypertension is granted at 10 percent, effective June 11, 2018. The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an increased rating and service connection for complications of hypertension.

The Veteran's kidney stones, gastrointestinal disability (including diarrhea), and acute intermittent tension headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving an initial compensable rating for his migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for acid reflux, hemorrhoids, residuals of Depo-Provera, migraine headaches, and anxiety and insomnia due to a lack of a VA examination specifically addressing these conditions. The Veteran is presumed competent to report her symptoms during service.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a disability rating of 50 percent, which is the maximum available under current regulations. The other issues remain denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, headaches, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's low back disability. The claims are based on direct evidence of in-service injury and continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headache condition and migraines with migraine variants are a result of his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for TBI residuals and a headache disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury. The Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service, nor caused by his service-connected PTSD.,Service connection for the Veteran's back disability remains remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding its relationship to service. Service connection for erectile dysfunction is also remanded as there was no opinion addressing whether it was aggravated by his service-connected prostatitis.

The appeals for increased disability ratings for the back and related neurological issues (e.g. radiculopathy of the lower extremities) have been withdrawn and are dismissed.,The appeal for entitlement to a disability rating exceeding 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,The appeal for entitlement to a disability rating exceeding 10 percent for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity has been withdrawn and is dismissed.,Entitlement to a disability rating of 50 percent (but no higher) for migraine headaches is granted.,New and material evidence having been received, the petition to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected lumbar strain, cervical strain, dermatitis, and headaches due to incomplete examinations and lack of recent treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability, left upper extremity neurological symptoms, right upper extremity neurological symptoms, residuals of a TBI (including vertigo and headaches), and finger disability. The claim for service connection for a finger disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a headache disorder as secondary to the Veteran's coronary artery disease. The issues of increased ratings for coronary artery disease and TDIU have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right frontal lobe abscess and residual headaches are being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its inextricability with the increased rating claim.