Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran failed to report for VA examinations and the Board finds she demonstrated good cause for missing them.

The Board has determined that the November 2006 and December 2020 decisions are not final due to new and material evidence received within one year of those decisions. The Veteran's claim for an initial higher rating for headaches from November 23, 2005, to July 17, 2012 is remanded as the AOJ did not adjudicate this issue during the appeal period.

The Board has granted service connection for migraines and OSA as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's migraine disability had its onset during his active-duty service, while the OSA is at least as likely as not caused by his circadian rhythm disorder now characterized as PTSD.

The Veteran's rating for migraine headaches was reduced from 50% to 30%, effective February 9, 2021. The reduction was not proper and the Veteran is granted restoration of her 50% rating.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and migraine headaches have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also awarded a 50% rating for her migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded several rating reduction and severance decisions related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including TBI, PTDS, headache disability, and right eye disability. The issues include propriety of severing service connection for seizure disorder, reducing ratings, and discontinuing benefits.

The Veteran's degenerative changes of the lumbar spine at L3-L5 and S1 are now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is now rated at 40 percent, effective March 19, 2021. Service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, CAD, PTSD, sleep apnea, and headaches are all granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in obtaining an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's migraine headaches, including toxic exposure during service. The VA must obtain a new medical opinion addressing these issues.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain VA examinations for the Veteran's sleep disability and tension headaches claims due to incomplete examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claim for a sleep disability will be considered based on direct evidence, while his rating claim for tension headaches requires an assessment of current severity without considering medication effects.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for service connection of headaches due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected conditions. The examiner is asked to clarify if the Veteran's headaches are caused by or worsened by his service-connected cervical spine condition and/or Best's Disease.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for migraine headaches prior to July 15, 2021 was granted. For the period from July 15, 2021 onwards, his TBI and PTSD were rated at 30 percent each.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings were dismissed due to procedural defects, specifically failing to timely file a VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's GERD, headaches, ED, and OSA are all found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,An earlier effective date for the award of service connection for basal cell carcinoma is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on housebound status as he is not permanently confined to his dwelling and immediate premises due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral feet, bilateral knee, neck, back and right shoulder disabilities to include as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, brain tumor, and headaches have been granted. The service connection for left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines, degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine, spondylolisthesis, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to incomplete treatment records from his VA medical center in Honolulu.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for fibrosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), shin splints, and bilateral shoulder disability is denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is granted.,Service connection cannot be established for a bilateral shoulder disability as there is no evidence of such condition during or within one year following active service.

The Veteran's somatic symptom and unspecified depressive disorder is granted with a 50% initial rating.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence and failure to consider certain issues.