Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hallux valgus and headache disorder, finding that the Veteran's conditions were aggravated by active duty service.

The Veteran's initial rating for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was denied, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. His claim for TDIU prior to May 1, 2020, was also denied due to lack of schedular criteria.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating allowed under VA criteria. The Board found that his symptoms were more severe than what was currently assigned and granted a higher initial rating for his headaches.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for headaches, hernia, and bilateral eye disabilities due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues. The claims for left lower extremity disability and right lower extremity disability were dismissed as moot.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's TBI, OSA, and headache disability may be related to service. However, due to a duty-to-assist error, VA is required to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 2, 2017, and September 18, 2017, for the Veteran's cluster and migraine headaches and acquired psychiatric disorder, respectively. The effective dates are based on factual ascertainability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was denied as his headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 28, 2016 for the grant of a TDIU and DEA benefits. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 2014.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headaches was dismissed due to procedural errors in the Appeals Modernization Act (AMA) system.

The Veteran's migraines were rated at a 30 percent disability level, effective October 28, 2019. The rating was granted because the Veteran experienced characteristic prostrating attacks of migraines on average once a month over the last several months.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability secondary to the Veteran's left knee disorder. The issue of service connection for a headache disorder is remanded.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is rated at 50 percent effective October 23, 2008. The Board also granted a TDIU from February 25, 2009.

The Veteran's tinnitus, OSA as secondary to service-connected pulmonary asbestosis, and migraine headaches have been granted. The Veteran has also received a 100 percent disability rating for PTSD.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, rib injury, and right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and migraine headaches, finding that these conditions were incurred during the Veteran's service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations (Gulf War). The claims are based on direct evidence rather than a presumption.

The Veteran's migraines are now rated at the highest possible level of disability, 50 percent. The appeals for PFB and allergic rhinitis with residuals of a nose fracture have been dismissed as they were withdrawn by the Veteran. The right and left knee chondromalacia issues remain pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a skin rash condition and headaches has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are no longer pending.

The Veteran's entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate is granted as he has a total disability rating due to PTSD and additional service-connected disabilities independently rated at 60 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that his current diagnosed disability is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected asthma and depressive disorder.

The Board restored service connection for the seven claimed conditions, effective from July 1, 2020.