Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on chronic headache disorder, adjustment disorder with disturbance of mood and anxiety, and cervical spine disc disease are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for headaches, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to a lack of VA examination records from service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service connected, with the Board finding that all three elements of a service connection claim (current disability, in-service injury/episode, and link between the two) have been met. The decision is based on the June 2019 VA Report which concluded that the Veteran's current migraine headaches were incurred as a result of his active military service.

The Veteran's PTSD and Migraine Headaches have been granted service connection with initial ratings of 100% effective August 30, 2018. The Veteran is also eligible for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits as of that date.

The Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with depressed mood alone does not preclude her from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore the claim for SMC at 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) rate is denied.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues related to low back pain, contact dermatitis, migraine headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea, IBS, left ear hearing loss, bilateral knees, and bilateral shoulders as untimely.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for various conditions and rating issues, leading to the dismissal of all related matters.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from August 1, 2018 to September 9, 2019 due to his service-connected disabilities making him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent effective December 11, 2019. The Veteran's degenerative disc disease L5-S1 is currently rated at 20 percent. Separate ratings of 20 percent each are granted for left and right lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and migraine headaches have been dismissed due to a failure to timely opt-in under the AMA framework.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained prior to the November 2019 supplemental claim decision were inadequate for addressing the Veteran's contention that his sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected migraines. The case is being remanded to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent increased rating for migraine headaches has been dismissed as moot because the RO already granted this benefit with an effective date of January 14, 2008.

The Veteran's headache condition is granted a rating of 10 percent prior to October 5, 2019, and 30 percent thereafter. The right knee and left knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal for all issues.

The Veteran's initial rating for headaches prior to July 13, 2016 is granted at 30 percent. A higher rating of over 30 percent for headaches beginning July 13, 2016 is denied. SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s) is also denied.

Service connection is granted for migraines, allergic rhinitis, IBS, and chronic fatigue syndrome.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD/MDD is found to be the primary cause of her claimed chronic pain syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for higher disability ratings for migraines and right shoulder degenerative changes have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the withdrawal of representation.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy claim is denied.,Service connection for right knee strain and left knee strain are both denied, with each receiving a 10% disability rating.,A 20% disability rating is granted for the Veteran's left knee meniscus condition (manifested by locking).,The Veteran's left knee instability claim is denied. The Veteran's tension and migraine-type headaches have been granted a 50% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and consideration of lay contentions. The Veteran is scheduled for VA examinations to address his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for migraine headaches and diabetes mellitus has been granted. The claim for vision loss is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding its relationship to diabetes.