Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder, increased disability ratings for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 30 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. The Board granted this rating based on evidence showing an average of one prostrating attack per month.

The Veteran's forehead scar is granted service connection. The issues of service connection for head injuries and cervical spine disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient information regarding his in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The RO is instructed to attempt verification of this exposure and provide a formal finding if further details are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of posttraumatic headaches, IVDS, spinal stenosis, and lumbosacral strain have been denied as the evidence does not show that his symptoms meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's effective date for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of June 15, 2010. This decision was inferred from the evidence showing that the Veteran met criteria for SMC at this time.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and new lay testimony relating his disabilities to active duty service.

The Veteran's post-traumatic headache disability, including tension and migraine headaches, is rated at 50 percent effective January 23, 2018. The Veteran also has a claim for TDIU which is remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches with blurred vision are rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran’s headaches occur a few times per month and cause symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light and sound.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was denied as her symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tension headaches and generalized anxiety disorder are inadequate. Therefore, the cases are being remanded for new examinations.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability rating for tension headaches prior to January 12, 2016 was denied. From January 12, 2016 onwards, the Veteran is already in receipt of the highest schedular rating available (50 percent).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for gastroesophageal reflux disease, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, acne, and tension headaches as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran was not provided with all necessary information about his SSA disability benefits and decisions.

The Board has found procedural errors and is remanding the case for further action, including issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to an administrative error in the previous decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches, claimed as secondary to his service-connected idiopathic orthostasis with syncope (also claimed as epilepsy), is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and unclear opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting the grant of TDIU.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for post-concussive headaches and remanded the issues of increased ratings for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability prior to March 9, 2017, and from March 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the increased rating of migraine headache disorder is denied as it is not factually ascertainable that his symptoms worsened prior to September 26, 2018.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of residual scars from right knee diagnostic arthroscopy with fat pad excision is denied as the earliest date factually ascertainable is July 19, 2018.