Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that her current condition is related to her active service.

The Veteran's headaches as a residual of his service-connected nevus and photophobia of the left eye are granted with an initial rating of 10 percent effective October 8, 2024. The appeal for a higher disability rating for nevus and photophobia of the left eye is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are granted a 50% rating, effective from the date of the decision. His service-connected vertigo is also granted a 30% rating. The Veteran's back condition remains at a 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches, bilateral knee strain, shin splints, lumbar and thoracic strains, and hypertension, render her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral knee condition have been remanded due to new evidence received after the final June 2022 rating decision.,Service connection has not been established for migraines.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches should be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to consider all relevant evidence. The Veteran reported having headaches since service, which were linked to viral meningitis. He also had a current disability (PTSD) and functional impairment from his headaches.

The Veteran's appeal of his claims for service connection for various conditions was dismissed because the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) was filed more than a year after the most recent decision denying those claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not currently demonstrate an actual need for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are as likely as not caused by his service-connected hypertension, and therefore grants secondary service connection for headaches.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence supports the readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a migraine headache condition, which is secondary to her service-connected PTSD. The Veteran's claim is granted.

The Veteran's increased evaluation for migraine headaches was granted, with a rating of 50 percent effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for headaches, PTSD, and thoracic strain were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's migraines met criteria for a 30 percent rating but not higher due to their frequency and severity. Her PTSD was rated at 70 percent, which is within the allowable range. Her thoracic strain was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines, PTSD, tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, inguinal hernia, and hernia scar have rendered him unemployable due to their combined effect. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tension headaches was initially denied in November 2018 and later granted with an effective date of November 7, 2018. The rating assigned was noncompensable (no compensation).,For the period prior to December 15, 2020, a compensable rating for tension headaches was denied. From December 15, 2020 onwards, a rating of 30 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches are granted a maximum 50 percent rating, and his Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand is granted an increased rating to 40 percent. The ratings for the left long and little fingers remain at their current levels.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an upper back and cervical disability, finding no evidence of a link between his current disabilities and service. The claim for headache disability is remanded due to inadequate medical opinion regarding its relationship to service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has remanded all service connection claims due to the need for additional evidence, including missing STRs and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral cataracts, bilateral dry eye syndrome, and migraine headaches have been granted with effective dates of May 10, 2022.,Claims for cancer of the right tonsil, amyloidosis of the right leg, amyloidosis of the left leg, a right knee disability, and varicose veins of the lower extremities were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of 50 percent for migraines/headaches is granted. The claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for ulcer is denied. Other service connection claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for TBI and migraines as secondary to TBI due to pre-decisional errors in providing a VA examination and medical opinion before issuing the October 2022 rating decision on appeal.