Migraines & headaches decisions — 2023

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he had a substantially gainful employment prior to October 29, 2015 and the evidence does not substantiate a reasonable possibility that he was unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was granted. Service connection is granted for left ear hearing loss and denied for right ear hearing loss. The claims for sleep apnea and migraine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for frontal headaches and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the Board's previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and multiple joint and back conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since June 23, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Board denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and remanded the issue of service connection for chronic headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the issue of service connection for migraines and/or headaches due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, headaches, back disability, coccyx disability, left testicle epididymitis, and right hip disability are all granted. The cases of the back, coccyx, and right hip disabilities are remanded.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and migraines.,The right shoulder disability and the right front tooth chipped issue are being remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are denied a compensable initial rating prior to September 13, 2019.,The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depression is denied ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to August 14, 2019 and in excess of 50 percent from August 14, 2019.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's recurrent headache disability is related to service, including as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder strain is rated at 20% and denied any higher rating.,For migraines, the Veteran was previously granted a 30% rating prior to October 2, 2020, which remains denied. From October 2, 2020, to May 6, 2022, he received a 50% rating and this is upheld.,After May 6, 2022, the Veteran's migraines are rated at 50%, but no higher, as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and disability ratings on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his death during the appeal process.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches are service-connected. The issues of service connection for left knee, low back, and left shoulder disabilities have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone cause her to be housebound and/or in need of regular aid and attendance. The claim will be reconsidered after obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his service-connected headaches and TBI with PTSD and MDD was denied. The Veteran's headache disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from May 5, 2023. His TBI with PTSD and MDD remains rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's death was caused by stage IV colorectal cancer, but the claims for service connection are remanded due to pending unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tension headaches, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spinal stenosis, and unspecified cervical spine issues due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's claimed neurological condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal of entitlement to a TDIU and denied increased disability ratings for headaches and bilateral pes planus. The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30% and his bilateral pes planus is rated at 30%. These ratings are appropriate given the severity of his symptoms.