Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected due to a finding of in-service noise exposure and subsequent development of the condition.,There is no persuasive evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral glaucoma to his active military service. The Board finds that the current diagnosis does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was not diagnosed during or within one year after his active military service, and there is no persuasive evidence linking it to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's headaches and his service. The Board finds that the current diagnosis does not meet the criteria for service connection.,The Veteran has diabetes but there is no persuasive evidence linking its onset or development to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, ankle and knee disabilities, low back disability, anxiety/depression, insomnia, sleep apnea, and headaches, did not begin during or are otherwise related to service. As such, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, with accompanying symptoms such as light and noise sensitivity, blind spots, nausea, numbness, tingling, dizziness, lightheadedness, throbbing, and pulsating pain, are considered a medically unexplained chronic multi-symptom illness (MUCMI) due to his Gulf War service. The Board granted the Veteran's claim for service connection under this presumption.

The July 2020 rating decision granted a TDIU, but did not result in any past-due benefits. The appeal is denied as the Appellant's services were provided before the date on which the Veteran was notified of the initial decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) at the 38 U.S.C. 1114(t) rate is denied because his TBI residuals do not require personal health-care services provided on a daily basis in the home by a person who is licensed to provide such services or who provides such services under the regular supervision of a licensed health-care professional.

The appeal concerning the service connection claims for mental disorder (PTSD), headache disorder, and left ear hearing loss is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the cases of hypertension, lumbar spine disability, and headaches for further examination and opinion to address the sufficiency of the evidence regarding service connection.

The Board has found a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remanded the case due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's vertigo, service-connected PTSD, unspecified depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and migraines.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development on the issues of service connection for a neck disability, radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity. The TDIU issue is also referred to the Director for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's headaches, muscle contractions post head trauma, are rated at a 50 percent disability rating since June 20, 2014. This is the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Veteran's initial rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches prior to June 30, 2018 was granted. The Board found the Veteran's symptoms met the criteria for a 50 percent rating due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for right eye cataract as proximately due to service connected diabetes mellitus, type II and a 50 percent disability rating for headaches. The claim for a separate rating for dizziness associated with headaches is also granted.

The Veteran's eligibility for VR&E benefits to cover education expenses incurred while pursuing his DDS degree is granted, as he meets the criteria for an employment handicap and has service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including GERD with hernia and kidney stones, prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has remanded the case to determine if an extraschedular TDIU rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient consideration of the ameliorative effects of medication on the Veteran's headache condition. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected migraine headaches and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right knee condition and headaches due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship between his current conditions and military service. The appeal seeking service connection for headaches was dismissed as untimely.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a 50 percent rating, which requires very frequent and completely prostrating attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, a traumatic brain injury (TBI) disability, and a migraine headache disability due to lack of evidence of current disabilities at any time during or recent to the filing of the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraine headaches and a hip condition, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since January 29, 2021.