Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's post-concussive headaches are rated at a 30 percent evaluation, effective from the date of this decision.

The claim for restoration of a 20 percent rating for a lumbar spine disorder, from April 1, 2018 onwards, is granted. The claims for service connection for headaches, acid reflux with heartburn, an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include anxiety disorder), and sleep apnea with insomnia are remanded.

The Board dismissed all the issues in this appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has remanded the claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to a worsening disability picture. The Veteran requires full-time assistance from her grandson, but she has not been evaluated by VA for this issue yet. The increased rating for migraine headaches is pending higher-level adjudication.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development of records and requests for additional information.

The Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia disability is found to be the primary cause of his headaches and anxiety disorder. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions, effective from January 3, 2017.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD, which causes near continuous panic attacks, sleep problems, impairment of short and long term memory, difficulty understanding complex commands, impaired judgment and abstract thinking, disturbances of motivation and mood, difficulty in establishing and maintaining effective work and social relationships, difficulty adapting to stressful situations, and impaired impulse control.

The Veteran's sinusitis with headaches and right deviated septum is granted a 30% disability rating, effective August 9, 2010. The effective date for service connection of the condition is set at August 9, 2010. SMC at the housebound rate is also granted as of this date.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for tension headaches prior to December 11, 2012 is denied. An initial rating of 30 percent and no higher for tension headaches since December 11, 2012 is granted.

The Board dismissed the issues of an increased rating for a lumbar disability and service connection for left ulnar neuropathy, as well as the claims for migraine headaches, gastrointestinal disorder, tinnitus, eczema, and reduction of knee ratings. The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn by his representative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, finding that there was no evidence of a neurological injury or disease during service and no continuous symptoms of migraine since separation. The VA examiners concluded that migraines were not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, panic disorder with anxiety, and MDD, as these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service personal assault.

The Board denied service connection for a headache disability, including tension and migraine headaches, as well as secondary service connection due to the Veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder and chronic pain disorder. The evidence did not support a link between in-service headaches and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a head injury, including headaches, is being remanded due to the lack of available STRs and need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis is rated at a 10 percent disability rating, effective May 3, 2007. The Board found that the evidence was at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s allergic rhinitis manifested with greater than 50 percent obstruction of nasal passages on both sides or complete obstruction on one side.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's hypertension was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that OSA began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease or a service-connected disability.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that a headache condition began in active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease or a service-connected disability.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that kidney stones began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches prior to June 18, 2019, finding that his symptoms meet the criteria for very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for anemia and migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical opinions regarding her conditions.

The Veteran's employment status and lack of additional evidence were considered, leading to the denial of his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU).