Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The appeal for service connection for tinnitus is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety and depression) are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of headaches has been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 30 percent for tension headaches has been granted, with the condition being characterized as having characteristic prostrating attacks occurring at least once a month.

The Veteran's migraine disorder is now service-connected and rated at 50% effective December 8, 2018. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,Effective December 8, 2018, the Veteran was granted an initial disability rating of 50% for his migraine headaches.

The Board has restored a 30 percent evaluation for migraine headaches, finding that the reduction from 30 to 0 percent was improper due to lack of evidence showing actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his headache condition was denied as the evidence did not show severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's appeals for compensable ratings for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis were also denied, with no specific reasoning provided.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected migraine headaches is being remanded due to incomplete records of his VCP-authorized private neurology treatment.

The Veteran's representative has withdrawn all appeals, including those for service connection and readjudication of various disabilities. As a result, the Board is dismissing these appeals.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 30% rating, but the claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal regarding the reduction of their migraines disability rating from 50% to 30%, effective July 9, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for migraines associated with PTSD and alcohol use disorder was granted, resulting in a 30 percent initial disability rating. The evidence of record supports finding that the Veteran experiences characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over several months.

The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus, type II was denied as there is no evidence of its onset in service or a link to service.,Before January 1, 2016, the Veteran's headaches were rated at 30 percent and not higher due to lack of very frequent, completely prostrating attacks. Beginning January 1, 2016, his rating was increased to 50 percent based on more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches is dismissed as a matter of law because the November 13, 2020 VA Form 10182 was docketed in error and the July 2019 decision only partially granted the pending issue.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a 30% rating, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's urinary urgency and right knee strain remain at their current ratings.

The Board has found the VA examination opinions inadequate due to their failure to address direct service connection and the Veteran's competent reports of self-treating with over-the-counter medication. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for left shoulder disability was withdrawn by the Veteran during his virtual Board hearing.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, headaches, GERD, chronic pain syndrome, lumbar radiculopathy (legs and feet), lumbar radiculopathy (arms and hands), and unspecified depressive disorder. Service connection is denied for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, and therefore, he does not qualify for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance or adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's migraines have not manifested in very frequent completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, so the claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to calculate the cost of transporting the Veteran's remains from his home in Elyria, Ohio, to the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. The criteria for entitlement to burial transportation reimbursement have not been met.

The Veteran's entitlement to an initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted, as he experiences very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks capable of severe economic inadaptability.