Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's headache disability is being reviewed, but service connection will be determined based on evidence of record at the time of the February 2024 rating decision.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for tension headaches and service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, and left arm radiculopathy disorders due to a failure to substantially comply with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's dry eye syndrome of the lacrimal gland is denied as it was caused by an elective surgery for refractive error. The Veteran's tension headaches are granted with a rating of 50 percent, effective July 8, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted as the condition became manifest during active service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.,Service connection for headaches, to include migraines and migraine variants, is denied. The Board found no evidence of onset or chronicity of symptoms in service.

The Veteran's proposed reductions in disability ratings for migraines and sinusitis from 30% to noncompensable were dismissed as moot because the ratings had not been reduced.

The Board has determined that there was a pre-decisional error in the May 2022 VA examination, as it did not address whether the Veteran's sleep apnea is related to her service-connected left orbital fracture and TBI. The case is being remanded for an addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician.

The Board denied service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and bilateral shin splints.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for intervertebral disc syndrome, left hip osteoarthritis, right knee disability, bilateral ankle disability, and headaches have been granted.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to their service-connected sleep apnea.,The Veteran's GERD is found to be secondary to the use of medications for his service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for GERD and migraine headaches are dismissed as freestanding claims.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for GERD and migraine headaches are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeal of the May 2020 rating decision that increased his migraine and tension headaches to a 50 percent rating, effective February 27, 2020, is dismissed as it violated the prohibition on concurrent elections.

The Veteran's hypertension, migraine headaches, and chronic cough were evaluated. The Veteran was granted a rating of 30 percent for his migraine headaches but denied ratings for his hypertension and chronic cough.

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted a 10% rating, and his schizophrenia is granted service connection. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches due to incomplete records and inadequate examination. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant medical records, including those from her service period, and provide a thorough VA examination to determine if she had a headache disorder during service or if it is otherwise related to her military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's migraines as secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of his unspecified mental disorder and migraine headaches are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Board requests that the Veteran provide authorization for VA to obtain Ireland Army Health Clinic treatment records from December 2018 to March 2020.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of June 26, 2019 for the increased rating of 50 percent for tension headaches associated with PTSD is granted as the evidence demonstrated manifestations consistent with a 50 percent rating throughout the review period.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating prior to September 26, 2022 and in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches has been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be related to service and granted as a presumptive condition.

The Board has granted service connection for thoracic and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as a headache disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability. The claims are based on direct evidence of current diagnoses and continuity of symptomatology since service.