Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine disorder and thoracolumbar spine disorder. The claims for headaches and hemorrhoids are REMANDED due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause intermittent inability to dress or undress herself, an inability to keep herself ordinarily clean and presentable, and an inability to feed herself through loss of coordination and weakness of the upper extremities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a sleep disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected depressive disorder and for headaches secondary to his in-service traumatic brain injury.

The Board has denied service connection for multiple conditions including GERD, hemorrhoids, chronic headaches, a right hand disability, thoracolumbar spine issues, and radiculopathy in the lower extremities due to the Appellant's dishonorable discharge from active duty.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for service-connected chronic fatigue syndrome with dizziness and headaches, but the claims of increased ratings for CFS prior to August 18, 2015 and for headaches are remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 50% effective December 13, 2021. The Board found the evidence supported a higher rating due to very frequent and prolonged attacks of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, glaucoma, and headaches have been dismissed as moot.,An initial rating of 50 percent for the period prior to May 16, 2024, for headaches has been granted with a current effective date of May 16, 2024.

The Veteran's MDD and migraines have been granted initial ratings of 70 percent, effective from March 8, 2017. The decision also grants an effective date for a TDIU (Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability) to March 8, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to recurrent headaches, finding that he could still maintain past work in quiet environments and avoid noisy or high-stress jobs.

The Board has denied service connection for Huntington's disease, headaches claimed as secondary to PTSD, and sleep apnea claimed as secondary to PTSD. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, as he is currently enrolled in college and has attempted to re-enter the workforce. The Board finds that his unemployability is due to his mental health conditions rather than his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headache disorder is secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder and tinnitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and a duty to assist error. The Board will need to schedule the Veteran for VA examinations to address his hypersomnia, knee, foot, and migraine headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of headaches, finding that June 8, 2021 is the correct date for the grant of service connection. The April 2009 VA treatment records were considered in subsequent rating decisions and did not warrant a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since July 15, 2019.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, to include as secondary to his service-connected somatic symptom disorder and/or tinnitus, requires additional development due to a duty to assist error. The AOJ must obtain adequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his toxic risk exposure activities (TERA) or were caused or aggravated by his service-connected somatic symptom disorder and/or tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's chronic headaches as secondary to his service-connected PTSD and tinnitus, finding that there is at least a 50% balance of evidence in favor of this claim.

The Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's cervical spine, low back, left hip, headache, and muscle pain disabilities as they may be related to her service-connected right hip disability.

The Veteran's headache disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.,A 10 percent rating for the ingrown toenail of the right great toe is granted effective from September 29, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, bilateral knee conditions, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient evidence.