Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for recurrent headaches and bilateral hand paresthesia due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran needs to provide additional medical records, including documentation related to his headaches from a VA examination.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected tinnitus, and the Board has granted this claim.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are granted a disability rating of 30 percent, which is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The right ankle sprain and gastrointestinal disability (Barret’s Esophagus, stomach indigestion, and GERD) have been granted service connection. Service connection for sleep apnea has also been granted.

The Veteran's migraine headache condition is rated at 50 percent for the period prior to August 14, 2019. For the period from August 14, 2019 onwards, a rating in excess of 50 percent is denied.,A 50 percent disability rating has been granted for migraine headaches for the period on appeal prior to August 14, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of broken left finger, left hernia, status post repair, headaches, right knee disability and right shoulder disability are all denied.,Service connection is not granted for any of the claimed conditions as there is no evidence showing a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, poly-substance use disorder, and traumatic brain injury) have been denied because the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations in 2019 without providing good cause.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for VA examinations. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, with some related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraines and hypertension are being remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The AOJ is required to obtain SSA disability records related to the Veteran’s migraine headaches and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding service connection for concussion with residual headaches. The claim for refractive error is denied as there is no current disability other than refractive error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraines due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions during active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for OSA, GERD, a headache disorder, a skin disorder, and a respiratory disorder due to lack of adequate opinions addressing the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's reports of continuity of symptoms since service are considered.

The Veteran's medical expenses at Bothwell Regional Health Center on December 31, 2015 are covered as the treatment was for a condition that would have been considered an emergency by a prudent layperson and there were no feasible VA facilities available.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, stroke disability, and service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability, migraine headaches disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The remaining issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability (numbness and swelling in the ankles and feet), service connection for migraine headaches disability, and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's headaches associated with right shoulder impingement have been granted a 50% evaluation effective June 23, 2020.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of nasal fracture with sinus headaches, finding that these conditions are due to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10 percent from July 1, 2011.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent from July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disability was denied as there is no evidence of chronic or long-term headaches during active service, and the current condition is not related to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability was granted as his current cervical strain and degenerative arthritis are at least as likely as not caused by carrying a radio on his back during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further medical examination. The issues include low back disability, neck disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), and headaches.

The Veteran's posttraumatic headaches have been rated at 30 percent since January 31, 2012.,Cervical and thoracolumbar spine disorders are both remanded for further evaluation.,Residuals of TBI are also remanded for further evaluation.,Hypertension is remanded to determine if it is secondary to service-connected TBI or PTSD.,Right ear pain associated with the TBI is also remanded for a determination on its etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for his service-connected CAD and migraine headaches are being remanded due to the need for additional development.