Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for right epididymitis, headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and a respiratory condition due to the lack of current diagnoses and failure to report for VA examinations.

The Veteran's PTSD with unspecified depressive disorder, migraine headaches, back disability, left knee limitation of flexion, left shin splints, GERD, nephrolithiasis, PFB, and ED are all rated at the maximum available rating (50%) for each condition.

The Veteran's claims for Athlete's foot, bilateral hearing loss (BHL), and bilateral tinnitus were denied. The claim for acne scars was granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for hypertension due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination to determine if any diagnosed headache condition is related to service-connected hypertension.

Service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is granted. The remaining claims of increased ratings and service connection are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of unspecified headaches is remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion regarding the onset and relationship of his headache disorder to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for hypertension and tension headaches have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches, as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is being remanded due to the receipt of new and relevant evidence. The Board finds that a VA medical opinion is needed regarding the etiology of his migraines.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 50 percent rating, which is granted. However, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent rating since September 24, 2008.,Prior to May 17, 2010, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at a 30 percent rating. From May 17, 2010, to November 15, 2017, it is rated at a 70 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the reduction in disability rating for tension headaches from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective May 1, 2023, was not effectuated. The Veteran's benefit of a 50 percent disability rating for tension headaches was granted by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the current rating decision and remands the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's current headache disability began in, and has continued since, active service.,The Veteran's TBI is related to an injury during active service. The Board finds that the September 2020 opinion is inadequate with respect to the question of nexus because the examiner did not address how the Veteran had a resolved TBI and residual symptoms but no diagnosis.,The pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated beyond its natural progression during service, and clear and unmistakable evidence was not shown that the increase in disability is due to the natural progress of the disease.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a 50% rating, but his skin condition head (scalp) is denied any compensable rating. The effective date for SMC at the housebound rate is set to January 26, 2019, and the effective date for service connection for headaches is also set to February 8, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches due to insufficient examination findings and lack of explanation regarding the impact on work.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as her service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea, and lumbar strain, did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran was able to work during the appeal period despite missing some days due to her migraines.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from November 1, 2016, to March 24, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal of his service connection claim for migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for a clarifying VA examination and opinion regarding whether his tinnitus may cause or aggravate his migraines.