Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches was increased, but no new VA examination was provided. The case is being remanded to correct this duty to assist error.

The Veteran's headache disability is characterized by characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months, and he has been granted a 30 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, sleep disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, and headache disability due to lack of evidence meeting VA compensation criteria. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for allergic rhinitis was denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's service connection claim for hypertension is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA opinion regarding whether he has current hypertension related to service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of hypothermia, bilateral lower extremities (BLE hypothermia) is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding whether his symptoms are related to service.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's service connection claim for chest pain with palpitations is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA opinion regarding whether his current condition is related to service.,The Veteran's service connection claim for left ankle condition is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's service connection claim for right ankle condition is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for tension headaches is remanded due to insufficient rationale in the July 2022 VA examination report regarding all of his reported symptoms and their impact on daily life.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings are being remanded due to incomplete records from non-VA civilian providers and the VA emergency room. The Board requests authorization for these missing records.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran had a current condition in service and continuous symptoms since service separation. The appeal is based on the presumption of continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to address the issues of service connection for tinnitus, headaches, residuals of prostate cancer, urinary incontinence, and erectile dysfunction. The current rating decision on PTSD with major depressive disorder and anxious distress remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for service-connected pulsatile, unspecified headache was denied as his headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable disability code.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ocular migraines is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board will obtain a VA examination by an ophthalmologist to determine if the Veteran's ocular migraines are related to his service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive assessment considering the ameliorative effects of his medications.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a nexus between the condition and her military service.,Service connection for chronic sinusitis was also denied due to lack of current diagnosis. The Veteran did not have symptoms that meet the criteria for chronic sinusitis.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for diabetes, headaches, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea as additional development is necessary due to incomplete STRs.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for headaches was denied as the evidence did not show that his headaches were productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's hypertension claims from September 1, 2008 to November 12, 2019 and from November 13, 2019 onwards are pending due to outstanding records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep apnea, hypertension, and headaches due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of May 27, 2014, for a 30 percent rating for headaches. The decision finds that there is evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for sinusitis, headaches, and ear pain secondary to service-connected deviated nasal septum have been granted.,However, the claim for ear pain remains denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, alopecia, and migraine headache disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and medical opinions. The issues are related to secondary service connection.

The Board has granted effective dates of September 8, 2016 for the awards of service connection and increased ratings for right ear hearing loss, tension headaches, and acquired psychiatric disability. The rating for the acquired psychiatric disability is set at 70 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for various conditions have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations of his headache disorder and cervical strain is remanded due to the need for clarification on functional loss during flareups and repetitive use.