Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches and an undiagnosed illness (claimed as chronic multi-symptom illness) are granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced headaches during service and has a current diagnosis, establishing continuity of symptomatology. For the undiagnosed illness claim, the Board found in favor of presumptive service connection based on symptoms matching those of an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability is not considered a current disability under VA criteria.,There is no credible evidence of an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, related to service. The Veteran did not identify any in-service stressors or events.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for headache disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. Service connection is also denied for bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 17, 2010, for the assignment of a separate disability rating for migraine headaches associated with residuals of TBI is granted. The Veteran's entitlement to an increased evaluation of 50 percent for migraine headaches from June 19, 2014, to August 7, 2017; from March 26, 2021, to December 9, 2021; and since December 9, 2021, is also granted. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches prior to June 19, 2014, is denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and asthma have been granted service connection. The Veteran's headaches are remanded for a secondary service connection opinion, and her sleep apnea is also remanded for an aggravation of service-connected condition opinion.

The Veteran's migraines were rated at a 30 percent disability rating effective October 11, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran had migraines with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. A new VA examination is required to determine if there is a nexus between the Veteran's headaches and his period of service, including exposure to environmental toxins.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of access to certain medical records stored in Vista Imaging or similar repositories. The AOJ is instructed to obtain and associate with the claims file complete updated clinical records, including those from VA and non-VA treatment providers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the effective dates are not established. The application to revise a March 1995 rating decision based on CUE is denied.

The Veteran's disability rating for post-traumatic headaches was reduced from 50 to 30 percent, but the Board found this reduction improper and restored the original 50 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the claims of PTSD, headaches, and spine arthritis. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 30 percent for service-connected migraines has been dismissed as he withdrew his request prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board dismissed the appeal for direct payment of attorney fees because a final fee decision has not been issued yet.

The Veteran's headaches are caused by his service-connected intermittent explosive and insomnia disorder, and the Board has granted entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for migraines, left knee strain, and right knee strain due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology and pathophysiology. Specifically, a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, including any TERA exposure.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including tinnitus and an acquired psychiatric condition, fatigue, headaches, heart stent, and rashes on the feet, face, and arms are being remanded due to procedural errors in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the decision denying eligibility for PCAFC is not clear and does not provide adequate reasons or bases. The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD, major depressive disorder with generalized anxiety disorder, sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), tension headache, left shoulder labral tear, wrist tendinitis, fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, knee pain, plantar fasciitis, tinnitus, TMJ capsulitis, dry eye syndrome, allergic rhinitis, scars, and psoriasis are considered. The Board has ordered remand to clarify the reason for denial and provide proper notice.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, requiring a VA examination for migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, and will consider whether the Veteran's headaches are related to her military service.