Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for service-connected tension headaches due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error requiring additional clarification.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a rating of 10 percent, but not higher, prior to March 22, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, headaches, a left knee condition, and a low back condition as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied a compensable disability rating for ocular migraines as the evidence did not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in 2 months over the last several months.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease to include spondylosis and denied increased ratings for other conditions, while remanding claims for service connection for psychiatric disorder and left hand tremors.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease to include spondylosis, but denied increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the knees and allergic rhinitis. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and psychiatric disorder were also denied.

The Board granted the restoration of a 70% rating for unspecified trauma and stressor-related disorder and other specified depressive disorder with alcohol use disorder, effective July 1, 2021. The claims for an initial rating in excess of 30% for migraines (headaches) from November 1, 2021, and a compensable rating for hypertension were denied.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents in service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and migraine headaches, as there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicide agents or a direct link to service. The claim for skin cancer was remanded.

The Board denied an effective date earlier than May 20, 2024 for service connection of chronic fatigue syndrome and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, to include migraines and asthma as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating higher than 0 percent for tension headaches, as the evidence did not show characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Board remands the claim for a headache disorder to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's condition, including its potential relationship to service and secondary connection to tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including anxiety and depression, right shoulder strain, right knee pain, neck pain, hearing loss disorder, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, sinus disorder, right lower extremity neurological disorder, left lower extremity neurological disorder, right toenail paronychia, and headaches.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of January 10, 2023 for a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and TDIU based on PTSD. SMC based on housebound status was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and chronic fatigue syndrome, granted a 30 percent disability rating for asthma, and denied compensable ratings for chronic headaches, rhinitis, and sinusitis.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied initial disability ratings in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, chronic headaches, vertigo, and folliculitis. The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for vertigo.

The Board granted restoration of the prior 10 percent rating for TBI and a separate, compensable 30 percent rating for service-connected headaches prior to July 29, 2021.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for tension headaches prior to March 22, 2023, as the Veteran experienced prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, finding it was at least as likely as not incurred in service. The other claims were remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.