Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU and DEA benefits was granted effective May 14, 2020.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis, left elbow, right elbow, migraine headaches, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are all being remanded for further evaluation.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s allergic rhinitis was not manifested by nasal polyps. His left elbow disability did not more nearly approximate flexion limited to 90 degrees, while his right elbow disability did not more nearly approximate flexion limited to 90 degrees.

Service connection is granted for headaches.,Service connection is granted for GERD as secondary to service-connected headaches.,Service connection is granted for a respiratory disorder, including chronic cough, allergic rhinitis, and/or sinusitis.

The Veteran's heart condition and hypertension are service-connected, but the lumbar spine disability is dismissed due to a full grant of benefits. Service connection for TBI, bilateral eye condition (secondary), and headaches (secondary) is denied.

The Veteran meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU and was rendered unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities since, at least July 2018.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since March 16, 2019.

The Veteran's 50 percent rating for service-connected headaches was reduced to 10 percent effective March 1, 2022. The Board has restored the 50 percent rating as of March 1, 2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and migraines are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a maximum of 30 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's IBS with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted a rating of 50 percent effective June 15, 2020. The Veteran's IBS with GERD is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back, right knee, left knee, and migraine disorders. The claims will be reviewed with new medical opinions.

The Veteran's acne is granted as secondary to her service-connected PCOS.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable (zero percent) due to the presence of a nonservice-connected right ear with Level I hearing acuity.,There is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and thus service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of migraines, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error.,No specific rating assigned as the issue has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, asthma, and pseudofolliculitis barbae have been granted. The claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's migraine including migraine variants and L5-S1 and multilevel thoracic spine disc disease, degenerative arthritis are granted a 30 percent rating each. The Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraines is remanded due to inconsistencies in the assessments from previous VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches as there is no current diagnosis of a headache or migraine condition.

Service connection for headaches is denied.,An earlier effective date of November 13, 2018, for an increased disability rating of 70 percent for the psychiatric disability (PTSD with depressive disorder and insomnia) is granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations conducted in 2021 and 2022 were inadequate to adjudicate the claim of service connection for migraine headaches. The Veteran's lay statements, as well as STRs referencing migraine headaches, suggest a possible link between her current condition and service. Therefore, the case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.