Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. Additional medical examinations are needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral ulnar neuropathy and migraine headaches are currently service connected, but the VA examiner did not address whether these disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected finger injuries.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, otosclerosis, and migraines were not found to be service-connected.,The Board denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss, otosclerosis, and migraines due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for residuals of mild traumatic brain injury with post-traumatic headaches was denied. The evidence did not show that the condition resulted in Level 2 impairment, which is necessary to warrant a 40 percent rating.,The Veteran's application for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disabilities alone do not meet the schedular criteria for individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD was denied, but he received a 50 percent evaluation for migraine headaches. The decision also noted that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for nonspecific headaches was denied as the evidence did not show that his headaches were of such severity and frequency to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches prior to August 10, 2022 is granted. The claim of an initial compensable rating for headaches is remanded.

The appeal regarding the increased rating for post-traumatic headaches is dismissed because the November 2022 rating decision only identified a duty to assist error and did not adjudicate the merits of the claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and migraines, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between these conditions and his in-service fall from a flatbed truck.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 18, 2022 for the grant of service connection for migraines is denied. The July 2009 rating decision denying service connection for headaches became final as no new and material evidence was received within one year of notification.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches and disability manifested by fatigue are granted due to presumed exposure in the Gulf War theater of operations. The Veteran has met the criteria for a qualifying chronic disability under the PACT Act, as his symptoms have persisted for more than six months.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine including migraine variants is granted with a rating of 30 percent, effective from March 1, 2021. The condition more nearly approximates characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average at least once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, was denied. The claim for service connection for headaches is remanded due to the failure to obtain relevant medical records and a VA opinion.

The Board has restored service connection for migraine headaches and vertigo, finding that the August 2021 rating decision was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's initial 50 percent rating for service-connected posttraumatic headaches is granted, while the denial of a higher rating for posttraumatic trigeminal neuralgia remains unchanged.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at a 70 percent rating, effective March 3, 2021.,An initial 50 percent rating for migraines is granted, effective March 3, 2021.,Service connection for OSA and right knee disability are both granted. The right knee service connection decision was remanded.,The appeal of a duty to assist error during higher-level review (HLR) for the right knee disability is dismissed.,An earlier effective date than March 3, 2021, for the grant of service connection for migraines is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for low back strain with mild degenerative changes, and the Veteran's blackout spells (syncope) are being remanded. Service connection for migraine headaches is also being remanded.,Service connection for low back strain was denied due to a lack of evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury or disease. The Board found that the Veteran's current back pain is more likely related to obesity, age, and deconditioning.

The effective date prior to October 1, 2012 for the grant of service connection for migraines and PTSD is denied.,The reduction in disability rating from 30 percent to 10 percent for pes planus with plantar fasciitis was not proper and is void ab initio.

Service connection is granted for DDD with strain and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine.,Service connection is granted for right knee degenerative arthritis with post-traumatic changes.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches.