Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding service connection for migraines, specifically as secondary to both major depressive disorder and tinnitus. The Veteran's claim is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions, including tension headaches, allergic rhinitis, asthma with histoplasmosis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome were denied. The Veteran was not granted higher ratings or initial compensable ratings for several of her conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for headaches, dizziness/vertigo, a left lower extremity neurological disability, a sleep disability (claimed as sleep apnea), and diabetes mellitus due to additional development and to ensure substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches with migraine variant and irritable bowel syndrome have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2016. The TDIU is granted for this period.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches was denied as there were no characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over several months.,Service connection for a liver disability, including as due to exposure to environmental hazards in the Persian Gulf, was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities, finding that he is not unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are worsened by his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,His hypertension is worsened by his service-connected PTSD, and he is granted service connection for this condition.,Obstructive sleep apnea is caused or worsened by his service-connected allergic rhinitis and PTSD, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and incomplete evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40 percent effective August 20, 2019. The earlier effective date for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches and hypertension (high blood pressure), but has remanded the issue of service connection for a low back condition.

Your claims for service connection have already been granted. The Board is dismissing your appeals as moot because the benefits you sought are now in place.

The Veteran's migraines are granted a 50% rating, and the exostosis of the bilateral feet is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted. The Board also finds that the Veteran's service-connected sleep apnea should be remanded to obtain additional evidence and determine its relationship to his service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, secondary service connection, and aggravation of disabilities. The issues include cervical spine arthritis, headaches, bilateral upper extremity nerve conditions, and sleep disability.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for two lower abdominal hernias, chronic headaches, coronary artery disease (CAD), and a mental health disorder to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, heart disorders, erectile dysfunction, headaches, visual disorder, skin disorder, and respiratory disorder are all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a causal relationship to service.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for scars under both eyes, painful scar under left eye, and painful left inguinal scar associated with TBI have been denied.,Prior to June 3, 2021, the Veteran's headaches were not productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks. After June 3, 2021, his headaches did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar disorder (lumbar strain) and headaches, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The rating assigned is 10%.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a failure to address VA treatment records, duty to assist, and consideration of lay statements regarding symptomatology. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of the increased rating for PTSD was withdrawn. The Board granted a TDIU from April 8, 2014, based on his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The case is remanded for additional examinations regarding cervical strain and migraine headaches, and to determine if extraschedular consideration is warranted for the TDIU prior to April 8, 2014.