Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection for a left knee disability is denied. The Board finds that the current left knee disability did not manifest during or immediately after service and is unrelated to service. A TDIU from March 6, 2019 to August 4, 2020 is granted based on multiple service-connected disabilities resulting in an overall combined rating of 80 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for vertigo/loss balance issue/dizziness has been granted. The claims of service connection for migraines and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for sinusitis is denied, and his claims for TDIU prior to September 21, 2018 are also denied. His TDIU from September 21, 2018 is moot due to the grant of SMC at the S-1 level.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal for an initial compensable rating for migraines, which has been granted.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that his symptoms are adequately reflected in the current rating.,For migraine headaches, the Veteran has been granted a separate 50 percent rating, the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Veteran's PFB has been denied a compensable disability rating.,Service connection for GERD, headaches, and hypertension have all been granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II and erectile dysfunction secondary to DMII, are granted. However, the claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and headache disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for major depressive disorder with mood congruent psychotic features and anxious distress, dysthymic disorder, and unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim of secondary service connection for migraine headaches secondary to his major depressive disorder is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. His obstructive sleep apnea requires the use of a CPAP machine but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches was denied, and the claim for TDIU was remanded due to incomplete development of employment information.

The Veteran's appeals of the evaluations for GERD and cluster headaches have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his attorney.

The Veteran's TBI is rated at 40 percent from June 27, 2019 to March 17, 2021. The rating for the period prior to June 27, 2019 and after March 17, 2021 remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD of the cervical spine status post cervical sprain was denied as there was no unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to August 15, 2018.,The effective date for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities was set at October 31, 2017 due to new evidence received within one year of a previous rating decision.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches was denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 8100.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for DDD of the cervical spine status post cervical sprain was denied as there was no unadjudicated formal or informal claim prior to August 15, 2018.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for headaches has been granted, and service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has also been granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals for increased rating of PTSD, service connection for cervical spine disability, migraine disorder, paralysis in left lower extremity, and paralysis in right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, left shoulder condition (arthritis), low back disability, migraine headaches, and cervical spine disability have all been granted. The appeals were decided on the merits of the evidence presented.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 30 percent rating prior to June 27, 2018 and denied for higher ratings. The Veteran is granted a TDIU from August 24, 2022.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus was granted service connection due to exposure risk activities during his military service. Service connection for a concussion and left knee degenerative joint disease were denied, as the evidence did not support these claims. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder received increased ratings up until May 20, 2019, when he was granted a 70% disability rating. Other service connection requests were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, sleep apnea, and migraine condition due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claim will be reviewed with a new addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and tension headaches do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another person or housebound status.