Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's rating for migraine headaches was reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent effective February 1, 2021. The Board found that the reduction was not proper and restored the 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus has been dismissed. The Veteran's headaches have been granted a 50% disability rating, effective as of the date of the decision.,The Veteran's IBS has been granted service connection based on a qualifying chronic disability under 38 U.S.C. § 1117 and 38 C.F.R. § 3.317.

The Board denied service connection for tension headaches as there was no credible evidence of headaches in service or within one year of discharge, and the overall weight of the evidence did not support a finding that current tension headaches were related to service.

The Veteran's appeal to reduce the disability rating for service-connected migraine headaches was dismissed because it was not a final decision and did not establish error of fact or law.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to her service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not show that her service-connected conditions rendered her helpless or in need of regular aid and assistance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep condition and headaches as secondary to tinnitus, finding that there is no current evidence of these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to September 10, 2020, and 40 percent thereafter. The issues of increased ratings for the lumbar spine and left knee strain are remanded.,The issue of an earlier effective date for TDIU is also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination reports and insufficient evidence to decide the claim. The Veteran's headache condition is related to service, but further development is needed.

A separate rating of 20 percent for erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, as a residual of CVA and AFib is granted.,Service connection for migraine headaches, sleep apnea, encephalopathy, dizziness/vertigo, and a psychiatric disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy, skin disease, nasal disability, respiratory disability, and headaches have all been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's headaches and right ear hearing loss do not warrant a compensable rating, but has remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus is due to his service-connected migraines, and thus grants service connection for tinnitus as secondary to migraines.

The Veteran's effective date for a 50% rating for migraine headaches is granted as of December 10, 2019. The effective date for the 30% rating for IBS remains January 19, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension have been readjudicated due to new evidence. Service connection for hypertension is granted based on the PACT Act presumption of exposure to herbicide agents. The claims for headaches and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on all four conditions due to his withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headache disability began in and has continued since service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50% rating for migraines is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that her migraines warranted such a rating prior to March 5, 2020.

The Veteran's TBI with depressive disorder, along with other service-connected disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 16, 2022. Since then, he is in receipt of a 100% rating for his TBI and additional disabilities independently rated at over 60%, qualifying him for SMC at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable disability rating for service-connected sinus headaches has been dismissed because the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a final decision.

The Veteran's left toe disability is granted a compensable rating of 20 percent.,Service connection for back, left leg, and right leg disabilities are denied.