Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board remands the matter for a retrospective VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's migraines without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board remands the matter for a retrospective assessment of the severity of the Veteran's headaches disability, including flare-ups and their impact on functional impairment.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disorder other than insomnia and denied increased ratings for migraine headaches, PTSD with alcohol use disorder, insomnia disorder, and residuals of TBI, and TDIU prior to October 27, 2021. However, the Board granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches since June 11, 2021, a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, insomnia disorder, and residuals of TBI since May 1, 2019, and a TDIU solely due to service-connected psychiatric disabilities as of October 27, 2021.

The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for headaches associated with post-concussive syndrome from January 1, 2004, to February 7, 2025, and a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral spine strain from March 1, 2018, to May 21, 2023.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due solely to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the statutory housebound rate.

The Board denied service connection for gout and erectile dysfunction, remanded claims for service connection for Hepatitis C, hypertension, liver cancer, diabetes mellitus, cirrhosis of the liver, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, headaches, memory loss, and the Veteran's cause of death, and referred claims for service connection for headaches, memory loss, and the Veteran's cause of death to the RO.

The Board granted an effective date of January 11, 2006 for the grant of service connection for high blood pressure (hypertension) and denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and sinusitis, reopened the claims for lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities, and granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD with TBI.

The Board granted a 50 percent disability rating for the service-connected headache disorder, which is the maximum schedular disability rating.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the 70 percent rating for bipolar disorder, TDIU, and SMC as well as service connection for a respiratory condition, headaches, lumbosacral strain, erectile dysfunction, and right and left hip condition.

The Board granted service connection for migraines as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but remanded the claim for service connection for hypertension due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition and migraines, but denied increased ratings for left and right patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches, left testicular pain, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The reduction in rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder from 70 percent to 50 percent was improper; a 70 percent disability rating is restored.

The Board granted service connection for a seizure disability as secondary to the Veteran's TBI, restored a 50% rating for tension headaches, and granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to residuals of a TBI.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, including a right foot condition, right knee condition, migraine, and thoracolumbar sprain.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the appeals for service connection for left foot, right foot, and right hand conditions due to untimely filings. The remaining claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for tension headaches, hypogonadism, and epistaxis based on a nexus to in-service environmental exposures.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, and headaches for Chapter 17 treatment purposes only as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the appellant's military service.

The Board granted service connection for left and right ankle degenerative arthritis, other than posttraumatic, but denied increased ratings for TBI, migraines, and an acquired psychiatric condition.

The Board remands the claim for an initial compensable rating for migraine headaches, as the evidence of record does not adequately address the severity of the condition without the ameliorative effects of medications.