Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's headaches and left wrist degenerative changes are granted service connection. The Veteran's dizziness (BPPV) and blurred vision are remanded for further development.,Service connection is being granted for the Veteran's headaches, which began during active duty. Service connection is also granted for his left wrist degenerative changes, which have been continuous since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status or need for regular aid and attendance prior to December 14, 2019 was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless that he required regular assistance.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and rating decisions, including service connection claims and initial ratings for various conditions. The Veteran's sleep apnea remains at a 50% rating due to the use of a CPAP machine but no evidence of respiratory failure or cor pulmonale. For thoracic muscle strain, the Veteran received a 20% rating based on limited range of motion. GERD and allergic rhinitis were granted initial ratings of 30% and 40%, respectively. Migraines are rated at 50% effective January 2, 2018. Service connection claims for hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and arthralgias, sinusitis, TBI, vertigo and dizziness, memory loss and concentration, left knee disability, and right knee disability are all remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, a back disability, a brain tumor, bilateral eye disorder, a right knee disability, tinnitus, and a headache disorder. The decision found that the Veteran's preexisting hearing loss did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury (TBI), including headaches, as the in-service head injury resulted in at least one current TBI residual.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, finding no evidence of a neurological or head injury during service and noting the four-year gap between service separation and the onset of headaches. The Veteran's account of headache symptoms was deemed not credible.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claims for service connection can be adjudicated on the merits. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim, hypertension claim, erectile dysfunction claim, lower back condition claim, migraine headaches claim, right knee condition claim, and left knee condition claim are all being remanded.

The Veteran's previously denied claims for skin rash, headaches, bilateral knee disabilities, and plantar fasciitis have been denied. The request to reopen these claims has been granted.,The Veteran's previously denied claim for sleep apnea has been reopened and is now considered granted. The previously denied claim for hypertension has also been reopened and is now considered granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a headache disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his current headaches are caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine, bilateral foot, hearing loss, gastritis, GERD, sleep apnea, headaches, vision impairment, cervicalgia, knee disabilities, hip strains, and ankle strains.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including reopening of service connection for various conditions and entitlement to service connection. The decision also emphasizes the need to obtain any outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated as noncompensable, and the appeal for a compensable evaluation is denied.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been granted a total disability evaluation based on occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with arthritis remains at 10 percent, and the case is remanded to schedule an examination for further assessment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence was added to the record since the last decision and requires further consideration. The claims for service connection are being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea and a headache disability, finding that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether these conditions had their onset during military service.

An effective date earlier than September 5, 2008, for the grant of service connection for PTSD with TBI residuals is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 10, 2018, for the grant of service connection for a headache disorder is denied.,Beginning January 26, 2010, a 100 percent rating for PTSD with TBI residuals is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the failure to appear for VA examinations, and a new opportunity is provided for the Veteran to report for these exams.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, left foot disability, or fatigue-related conditions that are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened, with the new VA medical opinion confirming that the current degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was incurred in service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has also been reopened, as there are STR showing complaints and treatment for headaches during service. The Board found these records to be new and material evidence.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder remains denied due to lack of new and material evidence that relates the current arthritis to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for loss of teeth has been reopened, but no new and material evidence was found to support his contention that dental trauma occurred during service.,Service connection for GERD is granted based on objective indications of a chronic disability (gastroesophageal reflux disease) that became manifest in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Gulf War.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine strain and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities are granted increased ratings to 40 percent effective October 15, 2018.,Service connection for tension headaches and migraines is also granted.