Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, dizziness, and right ear hearing loss. The evidence did not support current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for hypertension is granted, and his service connection claim for headaches is denied.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at an initial 30 percent disability rating prior to September 26, 2022. The Board found that the Veteran's headaches occurred once a month over several months and were considered prostrating, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the etiology of the Veteran's headache disability, including cluster headaches and migraines. The examiner will consider all applicable deployments and toxic exposures in determining whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his active-duty service.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU for the period prior to October 29, 2021 due to her service-connected PTSD rated at 70 percent. Additionally, she is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) based on her additional disabilities of tinnitus, cervical strain, right wrist sprain (Major), radiculopathy, right upper extremity, and migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not substantially contribute to his employment handicap, and he was found employable with his current skills, experience, and education. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for VR&E benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date than February 25, 2021 for the grant of a 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches. The evidence did not show that there was a factually ascertainable increase in the severity of her service-connected migraines within one year prior to the February 25, 2021 claim.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and a compensable rating have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% since August 6, 2019. This is a full rating under the criteria for migraines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to August 19, 2019, for service connection of panic disorder and prior to August 20, 2020, for service connection of migraines. The reasons given were that no formal or informal claim was filed before these dates.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the criteria. The Board found that his symptoms do not meet the requirements for a higher rating due to their frequency and severity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee condition and an initial compensable rating for his service-connected common headaches are being remanded due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to a lack of current diagnosis and no nexus between in-service noise exposure and present hearing loss.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraines, sleep apnea, and erectile dysfunction. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing these claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was granted, and he is now receiving a 50% disability rating. The appeal regarding his PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI remains denied. A separate 70% disability rating has been granted for the service-connected TBI. Service connection for ED as secondary to PTSD has also been established. However, the claim for OSA as secondary to a service-connected disability is being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting entitlement to SMC based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to February 23, 2017 is being remanded as there was evidence of a pending claim and the AOJ should consider whether to grant an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are now rated at 50 percent effective December 24, 2018. His GERD is currently rated at 10 percent effective December 24, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for SMC based on aid and attendance, finding that he did not require regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities prior to March 12, 2014.

The Veteran's headache disability and PTSD have been granted initial ratings of 50% and 70%, respectively, effective February 15, 2019. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.