Migraines & headaches decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted to readjudicate the claims for bilateral foot condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, back condition, right hip condition, and migraine headaches. The issues are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) were found to not warrant a compensable rating, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis, GERD, adjustment disorder, hypertension, insomnia, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, chronic asthma, and headaches. The Veteran's claims were not supported by competent medical evidence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for anxiety, insomnia, migraine headaches, and vertigo were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the claims.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection and a compensable rating of 10% from June 15, 2020. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depressive disorder) is denied. The Veteran receives a compensable rating of 10% for her headache condition since June 15, 2020. A compensable rating for sinusitis and right ring finger avulsion injury is not granted. The umbilical hernia condition is resolved.

The Board has restored the Veteran's rating for migraines from 30% to 50%, effective April 22, 2021. The decision found that there was no actual improvement in the Veteran's migraines and thus granted restoration of the higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a deviated septum and an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines. The claim for PTSD with major depressive disorder and panic disorder was granted, but only at a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability and migraine headache disability render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, leading to the grant of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequacy of a TBI examination and the need for a new examination. The Veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected TBI, but other conditions also contribute to his disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of headaches, service connection for brain tumor, hypertension, varicose veins, and chronic renal disease are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The severance of service connection for bilateral glaucoma is also being remanded.

The Board has decided that the VA examination opinions are inadequate and remands the case for an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's tension headaches are related to service, due to service-connected tinnitus, or aggravated by it.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted with effective dates of July 31, 2018. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar strain is denied. Service connection has been established for cluster migraine headaches at the maximum available rating (50%). Service connection for radiculopathy in both lower extremities was granted with effective date of July 31, 2018. A TDIU has also been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, a headache disability (claimed as migraine headaches), and bilateral foot disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to her military service.,There is no current diagnosis or history of any of these conditions during or immediately following her military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were dismissed. The Board granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent and 10 percent, but no higher, for tension headaches and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), respectively.

The Board has granted a 100 percent disability rating for Meniere's disease from August 19, 2021, and has also granted SMC based on housebound status from the same date. The appellant is now service-connected for multiple conditions including Meniere's disease, PTSD, urge incontinence, migraine headaches, tinnitus, and GERD.

The Board has decided that service connection for a head injury is denied. Service connection for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The appeal is dismissed because the September 2021 higher-level review decision did not constitute a final, appealable decision on the claim for service connection for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD, which was previously denied, is now granted as the condition is found to be secondary to his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress. The claim for service connection for migraines is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address the severity and frequency of her cervical spine flare-ups and functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal for a permanent 50 percent disability rating for her migraine headache has been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeal.