Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraines, chronic pain syndrome, and low back pain due to a lack of VA attempts to obtain relevant medical records. The Veteran's lay statements and a non-VA orthopedic surgeon's opinion will be addressed in the examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address service connection and aggravation issues related to the Veteran's headache disorder, including migraine variants. The hypertension issue remains under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a headache disability due to potential exposure in Southwest Asia. The examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, including participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as both the Veteran and his representative requested to withdraw their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of bilateral knee condition, back disability, headaches, and acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected headaches, finding that they are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding reducing the disability rating for service-connected tension headaches from 30 percent to a noncompensable rating because the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected TBI is granted, but the claim of an increased rating for post-concussive headaches remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been granted increased ratings to 30 percent, effective from November 8, 2019.

The Veteran's TBI was granted service connection with a 40% rating effective February 21, 2023. The appeal for increased migraine headaches from 30% to 50% is denied as it was not the initial decision on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral lower extremity tinea pedis was withdrawn. The Veteran's GERD is caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on a schedular basis from April 29, 2020. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically major depressive disorder, has been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least in approximate balance and supports a finding that his major depressive disorder is related to his active service and secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating for left foot condition, bilateral pes planus, right hand injury, and chronic headaches due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for cause of death, finding that there was no evidence to support a causal link between the Veteran's service-connected conditions and his death.

The Veteran's appeals for chronic fatigue syndrome, headache syndrome, and lumbar spondylosis have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's initial claim for tension headaches was denied. His PTSD remains at a 50% rating, but the case is remanded regarding obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance of another, nor did they qualify for SMC based on housebound status prior to February 9, 2021. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish that the Veteran required assistance with daily activities.

The Board has remanded two issues: one for service connection of headaches and another for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disability (insomnia) as secondary to the service-connected left knee disability. The AOJ is required to secure a medical opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, obtain relevant private treatment records, and schedule a VA examination.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits effective October 20, 2016.,An earlier effective date for DEA benefits prior to January 27, 2020 is also granted.