Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and headaches, with the latter being secondary to tinnitus. The decision is based on direct evidence of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal with respect to PTSD, left ankle disability, and bilateral knee disability has been dismissed.,Service connection for tinnitus (reopened) and tension headaches have been granted. The case is remanded for further action on the remaining issues.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection of a vision disability as it was granted in a previous decision. The issues of rating headaches and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted a maximum 50 percent rating for service-connected headaches associated with PTSD throughout the appeal period, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have produced impairment more nearly approximating 'very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability' than the lower 30 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hyperthyroidism, residuals of a right-hand injury, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury, left eye vision disorder, headaches, polycythemia vera, hypertension, and transient ischemic attack are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,The Veteran's claims will be further evaluated based on the results of these examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection for upper and lower back disability, neck disability, headaches, and sleep condition are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches due to a lack of a VA examination and insufficient evidence linking his current condition to his military service or any other relevant factors.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a disability that meets the criteria for a hearing loss for VA purposes.,The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder, left and right ankle conditions, left and right hip conditions, and migraine are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful occupation effective June 14, 2015. Effective that date, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of 50 percent for migraine including migraine variants is granted, effective March 31, 2017. This was the first treatment record to support a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain is granted, with a final effective date of July 1, 2018.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for tinnitus as it was granted in a separate decision. The remaining claims of service connection for various disabilities are remanded due to the need for further medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, including as due to Gulf War exposure, is remanded. The Board finds a new VA examination and medical opinion are needed.,The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a left ankle disability is denied. No new and material evidence has been received.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headache condition may have preexisted his service and is requesting additional medical opinions to clarify this issue.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to insufficient information regarding the Veteran's employment status and his ability to work with his service-connected disabilities. The case is returned for further development.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for a headache disability and awarded service connection for this condition. The Veteran's headaches are found to have begun during his military service.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, migraines, heart disease and high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes, and peripheral neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the left arm and right arm disability claims, and denied all issues of increased rating or service connection.

The Board denied service connection for laceration on top of head and migraine headaches, but granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy affecting the Veteran's bilateral upper and lower extremities. The decision is based on presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and headache disability, as well as an increased evaluation for PTSD prior to August 5, 2019. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.