Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current respiratory disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, sinusitis, nerve condition, or headaches related to service. The Veteran's prostate cancer and hypertension are also not linked to his exposure to mustard gas, herbicide agents, or other chemicals.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for headaches and a higher initial rating for psychomotor epilepsy prior to October 31, 2016 is denied. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to earlier effective dates for service connection due to CUE in the February 1995 rating decision is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of sleep apnea and must reconsider his claim for service connection for headache disorder. The reduction in rating for bilateral hearing loss is void ab initio due to lack of proper procedural steps, and an effective date prior to July 31, 2017 for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted.

The Veteran's headache disability is rated at 50% for the period prior to May 10, 2020. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from December 13, 2019.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 30 percent rating prior to October 4, 2019, and the Board finds that this is appropriate given his characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month. From October 4, 2019, the Veteran’s headaches do not meet the criteria for a higher 50 percent rating as there is no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches was granted at a 30 percent level prior to April 22, 2019. The Board found that the evidence supported this rating based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical findings. A higher rating is not warranted as of April 22, 2019.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fibrous dysplasia of the left nasal cavity, and headaches due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's right-sided headaches are currently rated at 30 percent prior to April 4, 2018 and 50 percent thereafter. The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent for the period prior to April 4, 2018.,The Veteran's service connection claims for cervicalgia condition, insomnia (secondary to service-connected disabilities), prostate cancer, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeals for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for headaches and earlier effective dates for an initial 50 percent rating for headaches and an initial 30 percent rating for upper respiratory infections with sinusitis because they arose from a final October 2018 decision that implemented an October 2018 Board decision.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, lumbar strain (claimed as low back disability), left wrist ganglion cyst, heat stroke residuals, neck disability, and head injury residuals to include headaches.,Service connection was not granted for any of these conditions due to a lack of evidence linking them to service.

The Veteran's appeals regarding his service-connected headaches and the effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits are being remanded due to pending VA examinations and procedural issues.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his service-connected left shoulder strain, obstructive sleep apnea, major depressive disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hiatal hernia with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraine headaches, and total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).,The Veteran's left shoulder strain is currently rated as 20 percent disabling. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50% due to very frequent, prostrating attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.,For cervical strain, a rating of 40% is granted since January 31, 2018, and the initial rating prior to this date remains at 20%. The Veteran's radiculopathy from his neck disability is also service-connected.

The Veteran's mental health disorder claim has been granted, rendering the issue moot.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is granted as they are related to service-connected conditions.,Advanced dental gingival disease is not a compensable condition eligible for VA compensation.,Service connection for residuals of bladder cancer is denied due to lack of in-service incurrence or nexus.,Service connection for residuals of head injury (other than headaches) is denied as there are no current disabilities other than chronic headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected syringomyelia (spinal cord injury) is granted. The initial rating for lumbosacral strain remains at 10 percent, and the initial rating for headaches is increased to 50 percent.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for PTSD, a headache condition, hypertension, sinusitis/rhinitis, and COPD have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraines, headaches, joint pain, fatigue, and insomnia. The cases are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional psychiatric disability and headaches as a result of VA medical treatment was denied because there is no evidence of an additional disability resulting from the VA treatment.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation for service-connected left ear hearing loss was denied. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for headaches and right foot condition due to frostbite, as additional evidence is needed.

The Board dismissed all appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, allergic rhinitis, anemia with vitamin D deficiency, and other medical issues. The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.