Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, which the Board found to be a principal cause of death. Therefore, DIC benefits are granted for the cause of death. The appeal for DIC under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 is dismissed as moot.

The Veteran is currently in receipt of a TDIU for the period from March 30, 2015, through the present. He contends that his TDIU should be extended to include the period prior to March 30, 2015, due to service-connected migraine headaches. The Board finds remand necessary to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors and obtain a retrospective VA opinion regarding the effects of service-connected migraine headaches on employment prior to March 30, 2015.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder, after resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee has been dismissed. The Veteran also requested an increase in his rating for migraine headaches, but this issue is not part of the current appeal as it was addressed under the legacy system and did not involve new evidence or claims.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are not rated higher than noncompensable due to infrequent attacks and lack of prostrating episodes.,A 10 percent rating for left leg instability is granted, with the condition being attributed to fibular fracture.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis in the left knee does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a disability rating of 50 percent.,The issue of service connection for contact dermatitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, respiratory disability (claimed as acute viral syndrome), and dermatitis (claimed as skin rashes) due to duty-to-assist errors. The AOJ is required to obtain an addendum opinion on all theories of entitlement raised by the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and chronic headaches (migraines) have been granted with effective dates of June 30, 2020. The Veteran's claims for left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, left knee condition, and right knee condition are being remanded due to procedural issues.,The Veteran's claim for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) was denied with an effective date of November 8, 2019. The Veteran's supplemental claim seeking an earlier effective date is dismissed as it was not filed within one year of the initial decision.,The Veteran's claims for chronic headaches (migraines), left ankle sprain, right ankle sprain, left knee condition, and right knee condition are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's service connection claims for allergic rhinitis and a headache disorder are granted. The Board finds that additional evidence is needed to determine the appropriate rating for his right foot condition, as well as secondary service connection for other disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 28, 2016 for the assignment of a 50% evaluation for migraine headaches. The Veteran's symptoms were very frequent and prostrating on that date.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg pain and a right ankle condition, chronic pain in the left hip and leg, IBS, and seborrheic dermatitis. The claim for headaches was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches were found to be very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged, causing severe economic inadaptability. The Board granted an initial 50 percent disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, tinnitus, and bilateral flatfoot are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.,For the skin disability claim, a new VA medical opinion is needed as the previous opinions were inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current headache disorder and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, but his hearing loss and migraines were denied. The rating for migraines remains at 10 percent.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea due to untimeliness. The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, headaches, bilateral plantar fasciitis, sciatica, right knee disability, left knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability were denied.

The Board grants an effective date of February 21, 2017 for a 70% rating for unspecified trauma and stress-related disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted as of April 18, 2013. The Veteran is also awarded a higher rating for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2013.,Basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits arose on June 1, 2013.