Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance was denied as the evidence did not show that he met the requirements for these benefits prior to August 16, 2016.

The Board has determined that the claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches must be readjudicated based on new and relevant evidence. The AOJ is instructed to consider the merits of the underlying claim.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of September 25, 2020 for increased ratings of PTSD and migraine headaches, as well as eligibility for DEA benefits. The Veteran's appeal is denied in part due to a remand for additional records.

The Veteran's disability ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tension headaches were improperly reduced. The Board has reinstated these ratings to their original levels, effective August 1, 2022.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, his right eye disability is rated at 10 percent, and his facial nerve disorder remains at 10 percent. The appeals for increased evaluations were denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For tension headaches (claimed as ocular migraines), the evidence does not support a compensable rating during either appeal period.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability and bilateral knee condition. The Veteran's obesity was not found to be a compensable disability. Service connection was denied for jaw condition, skin condition (claimed as athletes' foot), bilateral hearing loss, ED secondary to PTSD, TBI, migraine headaches, residual scar of the head/scalp, scar of the lower back, and right shoulder and right foot scars.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic brain injury (TBI) is found to be a but-for cause of his headaches, and the Board grants service connection for headaches as secondary to TBI.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 13, 2021 for the grant of service connection for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee disability), rated at 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left thumb disability, heart condition, hypertension, right and left knee disabilities, peripheral neuropathies in the upper and lower extremities, migraine headaches, and psychiatric disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptoms or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, stress fracture, and migraines have resulted in his inability to secure or maintain employment since August 2019. The effective date for the TDIU is set at September 8, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's migraines. A new VA examination is required.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding the Veteran's migraine disability and erectile dysfunction. The examiner is requested to provide an addendum opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including whether they are related to service-connected PTSD or other factors.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for PTSD, sleep apnea, and tension headaches have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for additional evidence, including an opinion regarding the Veteran's exposure to toxic substances during service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for migraines as secondary to her already service-connected PTSD with somatic symptom disorder is granted, but the earliest possible effective date is September 4, 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches as secondary to bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the issue was fully addressed in a previous rating decision granting service connection for migraine headaches.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims and appeals, including those for service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered her in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected headaches and determine if they are distinct from those associated with sinusitis. The Veteran also has service connection for sinusitis, which may affect the evaluation.