Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, headache disability, TMJ disorder, and vertigo have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.,Service connection was not granted because the Veteran did not present a valid claim for each condition. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the first prong (current disability) required for service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for migraine headaches and service connection for a traumatic brain injury (TBI). The claim for service connection for vertigo is remanded due to a duty to assist error.,Service connection for a TBI was not established, as there is no current diagnosis of a TBI. The appellant's contention that he suffered a TBI during service is not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's migraine has been granted service connection. The Board has found the Veteran's recurrent sleep disability and vertigo issues to be inextricably intertwined with other remanded claims, thus requiring further examination and review.

The Board's decision denying service connection for migraine headaches was vacated due to the appellant being denied a hearing prior to the decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a headache disorder due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases in the August 2023 decision. The Court found that the Board misapplied the law related to the presumption of soundness and required the Board to provide an adequate addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current headache disorder.

The Board has determined that the previous remand directives were not substantially complied with and has ordered further examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused or aggravated his headaches and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's TDIU claim as there was no evidence showing he could not secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, and he had been employed full-time for 20 years.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's migraine headaches, finding that his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for tension headaches and internal hemorrhoids due to a lack of adequate examination reports, which are necessary to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's psychiatric disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain. The left knee disability and migraines are denied.

The Veteran's TBI and migraines are rated as 30 percent, but his PTSD is rated at 50 percent from October 27, 2021 to July 28, 2022. The Veteran's PTSD rating remains denied.

The Veteran's headaches are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they are related to service, particularly his exposure in the Southwest Asia Theater of Operations.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches on a direct basis, effective March 8, 2021.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to August 20, 2021. The TDIU was granted as of August 20, 2021, and the Board found that the Veteran had been unable to secure and maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since November 2020.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to service connection for a headache disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding secondary service connection and aggravation. The Veteran is required to undergo an examination to provide these necessary opinions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from October 7, 2021. The appeal for higher ratings is denied.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and headaches as secondary to PTSD due to an improper concurrent election.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of migraine headaches, right lower extremity neuropathy, or left lower extremity neuropathy. The Veteran's service treatment records show complaints of headaches and back pain but no diagnoses of these conditions.,For his heart condition and defibrillator implant, the Board finds that an addendum opinion is needed to address whether there is a relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his service-connected hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases of migraine, aneurysm, and TIA for further development due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, including sedentary employment. The Board grants a TDIU based on the combined evaluation of his service-connected conditions.