Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board dismissed the appeals of entitlement to increased disability ratings, initial compensable ratings, and initial disability ratings for lumbosacral strain, chronic rhinitis, and headaches. The appeal of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and left thumb scar was also dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected psychiatric disability and special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance of another are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the original decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraines is denied as the evidence does not show that his current migraines are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a depressive disorder and chronic headaches, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's IBS, chronic diarrhea with constipation, and headache disability (including migraine including migraine variants and tension headaches) are all found to be proximately due to their service-connected insomnia disorder. As such, the appeal for these issues is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of headaches, right hand disability, and back disability were dismissed due to the late filing of a VA Form 10182.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, OSA, and GERD due to potential exposure to burn pits during his military service. The RO is required to provide a VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for migraine headaches due to insufficient medical opinion regarding its relationship to active duty or a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left wrist tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist tendinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome, initial increased rating for migraine headaches in excess of 30 percent, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate VA examinations and duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's service connection claim for minimal lumbar spondylosis is granted. The issue of revising the July 2000 rating decision on the basis of CUE is dismissed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical strain, lumbosacral strain, and migraine headaches have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, as well as for migraine headaches, require additional development due to inconsistencies in the evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD. Left ear sensorineural hearing loss is granted, while right ear sensorineural hearing loss and headaches are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for chronic sinusitis with headaches is denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for migraine headaches due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis was denied as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.,The remaining issues, including cervical spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, right hand disability, left hand disability, stomach condition (dyspepsia), and migraine headaches are all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected multiple sclerosis.,Her depression appeal is dismissed due to it being a symptom of her already service-connected neurocognitive disorder.,Tinnitus was denied as there is no current diagnosis and the Veteran did not report any during active duty.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of qualifying hearing loss for VA purposes.,High blood pressure, spinal fluid leak, left wrist pain, right wrist pain, back pain, and neck pain were all denied due to lack of a nexus to service.,Left shoulder pain and right shoulder pain were also denied without a clear link to service.

The Veteran's appeals for a compensable rating for his headache condition and a higher rating for his left knee condition have been denied.,The Board found that the original ratings were properly assigned, as there was no evidence of prostrating attacks or other criteria warranting higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination and duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's PTSD, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, migraine headaches, and bilateral shin splints are all under review.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hernia surgery abdomen scar, residuals of hernia repair surgery (other than scar), hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, nerve disability of the lower extremities (to include numbness), chronic headache disability, and gastrointestinal disability to include a functional gastrointestinal disorder are all granted. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for hypertension was denied as the evidence did not show diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more, or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more.