Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, degenerative joint and disc disease of the low back, left knee osteochondroma, right knee degenerative joint disease, hypertension, folliculitis, chronic maxillary sinusitis, and migraine headaches, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 2021. The Board has granted a TDIU based on this evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeal as untimely because the Veteran did not timely file a VA Form 10182 and no good cause was shown to extend the time for filing.

The Board has granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, headaches, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and cervical spondylosis with cervical strain (neck disability) and low back disability.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of migraine headaches as there is an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the condition.

The Board has decided to remand two issues: service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and an increased rating for headaches. The gastrointestinal issue is due to the need for a new VA medical opinion, while the headaches require clarification of whether the current noncompensable rating should be adjusted based on medication use.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood is granted. The claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and migraines are denied.

The Board granted service connection for migraines and GERD, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for tension headaches, finding that the Veteran's headaches did not manifest with characteristic prostrating attacks during the appeal period.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for sleep apnea, cluster headaches, left wrist torn ligament, and right ankle strain.

The Veteran's insomnia disorder, claimed as nightmares, is granted service connection due to in-service noise exposure. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions. Headaches and PTSD remain pending.

The Veteran's GERD, left ankle pain, erectile dysfunction, and tension headaches are all claimed as secondary to his service-connected PTSD. The Board finds the evidence insufficient to determine if these conditions are related to PTSD.,The VA examiner in June 2021 did not provide a clear opinion on whether the Veteran's symptoms of burning in his throat and stomach, vomiting, and unintentional weight loss constitute a disability and whether any such disability is secondary to his PTSD.

The Board has granted the restoration of the 40 percent rating for a traumatic brain injury and the 10 percent rating for acute intermittent tension headaches associated with TBI, finding that there was no improvement in these conditions under ordinary life circumstances.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disorder, headaches, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, which significantly impact his ability to work.,PTSD is rated at 70%, reflecting occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is denied. The case is remanded to obtain VA treatment records related to the Veteran's PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches was denied as his headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, with very frequent and prostrating attacks.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination. The examiner will assess whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's headache disorder had its onset during or within one year after service, and if related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted, with an effective date of October 24, 2019. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to December 23, 2015 for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches is denied.

The Veteran's facial nerve impairment resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis, manifested by pain, jaw locking, difficulty eating, and changes in speech. The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition.,The Veteran experienced migraines with characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months. The Board found that these symptoms corresponded to a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 8100, but not a higher 50 percent rating due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks.