Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of those related to PTSD and a right knee condition.,VA has determined that new evidence received since previous denials supports the Veteran's claims for anxiety, neck/cervical spine condition, degenerative arthritis, dysthymic disorder, fallen arches, herpes, left knee condition, major depression, migraines, and thoracolumbar spine condition. The right knee condition and PTSD remain under consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, gastrointestinal problems, and hypertension are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for new medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea is remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board requires an opinion from an appropriate examiner regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea, including whether it had its onset in service or is otherwise related to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining addendum opinions on the nature and etiology of his left ankle condition, headaches, and IBS.

The Veteran's appeals for sleep apnea and kidney failure have been withdrawn, and the appeals are dismissed.,Service connection is granted for anxiety disorder on a direct basis. The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches appeal remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted a maximum disability rating of 50 percent, effective January 7, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a headache disability and a disability manifested by dizziness and vertigo due to new opinions being necessary as per the PACT Act. The appellant's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity is presumed, requiring medical examination and opinion regarding the relationship between his symptoms and active service.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6602.,The Veteran's uterine fibroids are currently noncompensably rated as they do not require continuous treatment.,The Veteran's migraines are rated as noncompensable due to less frequent attacks without characteristic prostrating attacks.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied, while service connection for left leg sciatic radicular pain and parasthesia is remanded.,Entitlement to service connection for allergic rhinitis is also remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum disability rating of 50 percent, granted for the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's hypertension is related to his presumed in-service exposure to herbicides.,Hyperlipidemia is not a disease or disability for VA purposes but is a laboratory finding, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is granted as service-connected.,Headaches secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis are granted as service-connected.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy and left upper extremity radiculopathy are denied as not service-connected.,Cervical spine disability is remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, Meniere's disease, and vertigo on a secondary basis to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's recurring headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), insomnia disorder, and short-term memory loss are secondary to his service-connected seizure disorder.,The evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is dismissed as moot due to the grant of TDIU in an earlier decision. The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the awards of service connection or other benefits.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to June 14, 2013 was denied as she had maintained gainful employment during this period despite her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, autoimmune disorder (claimed as lupus), migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and bilateral carpal tunnel due to potential service connection based on exposure to environmental and chemical hazards during her periods of active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for migraines has been denied. The Board also remanded the case for a TDIU determination, but did not provide a decision on this issue.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent rating, the highest possible under DC 8100, for the entire period on appeal. The Board found that the Veteran's very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of migraine pain were productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a headache disorder and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the new evidence submitted since the last final denial established that the disorders began during active-duty service.