Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's PTSD and migraine claims are being remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded due to the need for clarification regarding her employment status.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates and initial ratings for migraine headaches, back disability, and left knee arthritis was denied.,An initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for migraines has been denied as the evidence does not show that the migraines were manifested by prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee strain is remanded due to deficiencies in the October 2019 VA examination, including inconsistent findings and lack of information regarding flare-ups.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective June 10, 2018, due to very frequent and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for left hand pain was granted, and service connection is now established.,Service connection for a headaches condition is also granted. The effective date for tinnitus has been changed from April 25, 2023 to July 27, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for stroke disorder, seizure disorder, dizziness and fainting, headache disorder, motor neuron disease with muscle weakness, tremors, memory loss and cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer's disease are all granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, headaches, and open angle glaucoma. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,Specifically, the Board found no chronicity of HTN within one year after separation from active duty, and there was no credible evidence linking it to service exposure.

The Veteran's service connection claims for tremors of the hands, weakness and lack of coordination of the legs due to Gulf War environmental hazards, restless leg syndrome, left radial and ulnar radicular pain and paresthesia, PTSD, migraines, respiratory insufficiency or dyspnea, and chronic fatigue syndrome have all been denied.,The Veteran's service connection claim for migraines has been granted.

The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy is granted with a disability rating of 40 percent for each leg.,The Veteran's eye disability (cataracts) and headaches are remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for a headache disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, including as residuals of TBI. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service-connected disabilities or other factors.

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 Board denied service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, bilateral leg swelling, diabetes mellitus, right knee and ankle pain, left hip pain, chronic back pain, hypertension, headaches, and prostate cancer. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service or the presumption of herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal as to service connection for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. The issues of service connection for left knee, right forearm, right ankle, bronchitis and migraine disorders were denied.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent for the service-connected headache disability from November 16, 2016 to December 10, 2019. However, the issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent is remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left kidney cyst, migraine headaches, and lung nodule are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine their etiology. The examiner is asked to consider the Veteran's in-service occupation as an auto mechanic and his exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD, hypertension, right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, headache disorder, and urinary problems/condition was denied. The case is REMANDED for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to service connection for migraines due to inadequate VA medical opinion and lack of access to service treatment records. The Veteran's private treatment records from prior to 2012 need to be obtained, as well as a separation examination if available.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, TBI, and associated headaches were granted service connection effective May 30, 2019. The effective dates for the other issues are denied as they predate this decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically regarding the Veteran's migraine headaches. The AOJ is instructed to arrange for a new VA examination and request an opinion on whether the Veteran would experience characteristic prostrating attacks of headache pain if not taking medication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records from the Veteran's in-service hospitalization.