Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a proposed rating decrease for PTSD with depressive disorder and migraine headaches. The appeals are therefore dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for VR&E benefits, other than employment benefits, to include a program of independent living services pursuant to 38 U.S.C. Chapter 31 due to the lack of reasonable feasibility in achieving a vocational goal and improvement in independence in daily living.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and depression are granted as secondary to their respective service-connected conditions (tinnitus for migraine headaches, and migraine headaches for depression).

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeals for increased ratings of unspecified trauma or stressor related disorder, TBI, and migraine headaches. As a result, the Board has dismissed these issues.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's right knee disability, scars of the right knee, anxiety/mental issues with PTSD, insomnia with headaches and nightmares, left knee disability, and back pain as the appellant withdrew their appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for left ear hearing loss and non-specific headaches was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 8100 (migraines) or Diagnostic Code 6100 (bilateral hearing loss).

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate, necessitating further examination and opinion to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, erectile dysfunction, and penile infection. The claims will be remanded to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and bilateral lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy have been granted service connection, with the latter being secondary to his primary back disability.,An initial 50 percent rating for tension headaches has been granted, reflecting very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 7, 2020 for the assignment of a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected migraine headaches.

The Veteran's tension headaches are currently rated at 50% and his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is rated at 40%. His combined disability rating is 70%, qualifying him for a TDIU.,The Board has granted an extraschedular rating for tension headaches, finding that the established schedular criteria adequately describe the severity of the Veteran's symptoms. The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's GERD is granted an initial 30 percent rating, while the other service connection claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected headache disability is rated at 30 percent since September 6, 2022. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses for emergency transportation due to a car accident are granted, as all criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations were met.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for migraine headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are being remanded due to the need for new examinations following separation from service.

The Veteran's TMJ was aggravated by a fitness test (PT) injury during INACDUTRA service.,The Veteran's headaches are aggravated by his service-connected TMJ.,The Veteran's tinnitus is at least as likely as not related to in-service noise exposure.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for headaches, eczema, and low back disability due to duty-to-assist errors. The VA will need to obtain additional service treatment records and provide medical opinions addressing the onset and relationship of these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, migraine headaches, nephrolithiasis, GERD, left achilles tendonitis, temporomandibular dysfunction, and tinnitus, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. As such, the Board granted entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as he does not have a current disability. The claims for tinnitus, headaches, left knee pain, right knee pain, irritable bowel syndrome, left shoulder pain, right shoulder pain, left ankle pain, left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, numbness in the legs and feet, foot pain/plantar fasciitis/heel spurs, lumbago/back pain, neck pain have all been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher initial ratings for his service-connected back condition, headaches, PTSD, bilateral knee conditions, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable disability rating for service-connected migraine headaches has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.