Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was raised as part of the initial service connection claims for hearing loss, headaches, and IBS. The effective date is set at April 12, 2021.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches should be remanded due to a need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his headache disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of sleep apnea, right shoulder pain, back pain (lumbosacral strain), and hypertension at least as likely as not cause his tension headaches. The Board granted service connection for a headache disability on a secondary basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination related to the Veteran's migraine headaches and their relationship to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, chronic headaches as secondary to service-connected tinnitus and unspecified depressive disorder, and OSA as secondary to service-connected unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence to support a conclusion that these headaches began during his military service and have continued since then.

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory insufficiency and dyspnea, left ventricular hypertrophy, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), functional abdominal pain syndrome, chronic headaches, right restless leg syndrome (RLS), left RLS, right hand tremors, and left hand tremors have been granted. The Veteran's claim for CFS has been reopened based on new evidence.

An effective date of November 13, 2019, but no earlier, for the grant of service connection for a left shoulder disability is granted.,An effective date prior to November 13, 2019, for the grant of a 50 percent rating for tension headaches is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and duty to assist error, requiring a new examination to determine if the Veteran's migraines are related to his service-connected tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for dermatosis, a cervical spine disorder, and cephalgia (migraines).,Service connection is also granted for the Veteran's cervical spine disorder. The Board found that the condition originated in service and continues to cause symptoms.,For his cephalgia, the Board determined that it was at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chronic headaches and migraines has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim regarding the withholding of VA disability compensation benefits for 63 training days in FY 2019 is dismissed because she already received the adjustment and reimbursement.

The Board has granted service connection for a unilateral right eye condition, but the left ankle and headache conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU for the period prior to June 21, 2023, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board dismissed the TDIU claim for the period from June 21, 2023, as moot due to the Veteran's receipt of a 100% combined disability rating.

The Veteran's service-connected tension migraine headaches and hemorrhoids have prevented her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment throughout the period on appeal. The Board has determined that she is unemployable due to these disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, seizure disorder, and hepatitis C due to incomplete opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his headaches that began during service in 1985 from flash burns, his seizure disorder related to substance abuse, and his hepatitis C possibly linked to receiving a tattoo.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for seizure disorder and migraine headaches, as well as service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to outstanding medical records and additional development.

The Board has remanded four issues for further development: service connection for a skin disability, service connection for migraines, service connection for hypertension, and the rating of reactive airway disease combined with obstructive sleep apnea. The remand instructions include obtaining updated VA treatment records, an examination to determine the etiology of any current skin condition, a new opinion on the relationship between hypertension and service, and a comprehensive evaluation of the Veteran's respiratory disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic fatigue, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, headaches, and a hysterectomy. The Veteran's bilateral foot disability is also found to be related to her service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's ocular migraines are caused by his service-connected tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.