Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches and tinnitus render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,The effective date for the lumbar spine disability is set at June 14, 2017.,A 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability is assigned with a June 14, 2017, effective date.,Separate ratings for left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are granted with a June 14, 2017, effective date.,The right knee disability is rated at 30 percent with a June 14, 2017, effective date.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and femoral nerve are each rated at 20 percent with effective dates prior to January 14, 2019.,The right knee instability is rated at 10 percent with an effective date prior to June 12, 2020.,Service connection for a migraine headache disorder is granted and the earliest possible effective date of November 7, 2017, is assigned.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines including migraine variants were reduced from a 50% rating to a 30% rating. The Board found this reduction improper and restored the 50% disability rating effective March 8, 2021.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is granted from March 21, 2022. The appeal period prior to March 21, 2022, is addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent effective April 15, 2011, the maximum schedular rating due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's TBI disability is granted with a 40% rating from June 30, 2011 to September 10, 2016. A compensable rating (10%) for the period after September 10, 2016, is denied.,The Veteran's vertigo disability is granted with a 10% rating effective March 28, 2019.,The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches are not service-connected and thus no rating is assigned.,The Veteran withdrew his claim for an increased PTSD rating.

The Veteran's tension headaches and migraines are rated at a 30 percent rating, but no higher. The evidence shows the Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent disability rating for tension headaches is granted, as the evidence supporting this rating was factually ascertainable by the record on September 7, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for migraine headaches and service connection for Wolff Parkinson White syndrome with left ventricular hypertrophy and left atrial dilatation due to deficiencies in the VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, allergic rhinitis, cervicalgia, and headaches. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service symptoms and VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder, and for headaches. The Veteran's current sleep condition is not currently diagnosed or shown by objective evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because his employment history did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, despite having multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and knee conditions and psychiatric disorder, prevent him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of at least 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the grants was set at September 6, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for headaches, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for migraines is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2018 VA examination used in the July 2020 decision.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) were granted effective January 21, 2019. However, his claim for a higher rating for tension headaches was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are granted an initial 30 percent rating, but not higher. The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches occur at least once a month and most closely approximated characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and a headache disability have been granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his neck, right ankle, and right elbow disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are significant, but his employment status is unclear. The Board finds a pre-duty to assist error and remands for clarification of the Veteran's work status since November 2020.