Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for IBS on a presumptive basis due to the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War. The claims for headaches and hypertension are remanded as additional evidence is needed, including VA examinations under the PACT Act.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sleep apnea, IBS, and headaches as secondary to PTSD with TBI due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issue of whether new and relevant evidence has been submitted to reconsider his claim for service connection for headaches, and if so, whether service connection is warranted, has been rendered moot by the grant of service connection for headaches in a March 2023 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, IVDS, and degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the cervical spine due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board has also remanded for further examinations and opinions regarding the other claimed conditions.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 50% due to very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's tension type headaches are granted a 50% rating. The left shoulder instability with history of rotator cuff is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. A noncompensable rating is granted for left shoulder scars. The low back disability, degenerative arthritis with IVDS, and radiculopathy in both lower extremities are all denied. Ratings in excess of 20% for left knee strain, right knee strain, hemorrhoids, and maxillary sinusitis are also denied. Service connection for sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for cluster headaches was denied, as he is already receiving the maximum available rating.,The Veteran's need for aid and attendance of another due to his service-connected physical and mental impairments was granted effective January 27, 2017.

The Veteran's pre-existing migraine headaches (also described as tension headaches) are presumed to have been aggravated beyond its natural progression by active service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for lumbar disability, migraine headaches, anxiety and depression, and polycystic ovaries as the Veteran withdrew her appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for headaches has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, which manifested as migraines with very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, are now rated at a 50 percent disability rating prior to April 27, 2020.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the issue of service connection for migraine, and as a result, the Board dismissed this appeal.

The Board has decided to remand all issues on appeal due to the need for additional VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being returned for further review.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, headaches, dizziness, weakness, and loss of sleep associated with PTSD and TBI, left little finger disability, left index finger disability, and left long finger disability are denied as the earliest effective date is July 21, 2023.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for TMJ from noncompensable to 10 percent prior to July 21, 2023 is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for post-traumatic headaches and right ear perforation of the tympanic membrane was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his post-traumatic headaches, as he experienced non-prostrating attacks occurring on average 3-5 times per week over the last several months. For the right ear condition, there is no evidence of chronic nonsuppurative otitis media or other complications that would warrant a higher rating under different Diagnostic Codes.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for service connection of anxiety due to lack of case or controversy. The claim for sleep apnea is denied, and the claim for migraines is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy is denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 29, 2013 for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and migraine headaches are both denied.,Both back disability and migraine headache claims have been remanded due to inadequate examination reports.