Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with moderate anxious distress, including ADHD predominantly inattentive type.

The Board found that the Veteran's combined disability rating was 90 percent from March 10, 2021 to June 14, 2021 and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound status due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and assistance. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for nocturia, urinary frequency as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea and for migraine headaches as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's current diagnoses of right ankle, knee, hip, back, skeletal arthritis, bilateral eye condition, vertigo, headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection is denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for tension headaches was denied, and the AOJ assigned a non-compensable rating. The Board is remanding this issue.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was initially rated at 10%, but evidence suggests it may be more severe. The AOJ should schedule an updated examination to assess severity before assigning any new rating.,The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain was initially rated at 10%. The AOJ should schedule another examination to correct the pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding functional loss and pain assessment.,The Veteran's supraventricular arrhythmia (sinus bradycardia) was initially rated as asymptomatic. The AOJ should schedule a heart examination to clarify whether exercise-based METs testing is medically contraindicated or available for accurate assessment of the disability.,The Veteran's pectus excavatum, status post chest wall reconstruction, was initially assigned a non-compensable rating due to its asymptomatic nature and pre-service percentage being zero. The AOJ should schedule another examination to correct any duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not obtaining an examination that addressed whether the Veteran's symptoms are signs or symptoms of a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, given his service in Southwest Asia and reported symptoms.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches has been granted at a 50 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's back disability remains remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a headache condition, as it is related to his service-connected major depression. The VA examiner must provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's headaches are caused by or aggravated by his major depression.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 30 percent, the maximum non-compensable rating. The Board found that the evidence did not show very frequent and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for fibromyalgia, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were constant or nearly so and refractory to therapy. The claims for service connection for sleep disabilities, headaches, psychiatric disorders, IBS, and TDIU are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 70 percent for generalized anxiety disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for hair loss and memory loss are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at the maximum allowable under the applicable schedular criteria. The initial increased rating for cervical spine disability was granted, but an initial rating in excess of 20 percent is denied. The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy and migraines are not shown to warrant higher ratings.

Service connection is granted for right and left hip posttraumatic arthritis.,Service connection is denied for asthma.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for migraines due to a lack of an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's pre-existing migraine headaches were aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further adjudication of her claims regarding left hip limitation of adduction, flexion, and extension. The initial rating claim for migraines prior to August 10, 2022, remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied, and his claim for an initial rating of 50 percent for migraines is granted.

The Veteran's claims for schizophrenia, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression, and migraine headaches have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.,Service connection has not been established for any of the conditions due to lack of credible historical information.

The reduction of the evaluation for post-concussive headaches from 30% to 10% was not proper, and the Veteran's claim is granted. The entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for irritable bowel syndrome is denied. The right shoulder disability remains remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.