Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were chronic and continuous since service. The claim for hypertension was remanded due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for allergies and shortness of breath, but granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches and a 20 percent rating for bilateral arthralgia of the temporomandibular joint.

The appeal for earlier effective dates for the award of an initial 50 percent disability rating for migraine headaches and DEA benefits was withdrawn, while the claims for a higher rating and special monthly compensation for Meniere's disease were granted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to outstanding records of private treatment and a lack of VA medical opinions.

The Board remands the matter to correct duty to assist errors related to obtaining private treatment records and clarifying the Veteran's assertions regarding severe economic inadaptability due to his service-connected post-concussive headache disorder.

The Board granted a disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's headaches/migraines, finding that his symptoms more nearly approximate very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board granted a 50% rating for post concussive headaches and special monthly compensation (SMC) for residuals of a traumatic brain injury, but denied an increased rating for schizoaffective disorder, depressive type and traumatic brain injury residuals.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, migraine headaches, a back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral plantar fasciitis as the evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted higher initial disability ratings for depressive disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and lung cancer residuals, but denied a higher rating for tension headaches.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) but denied an increased rating for the headache disorder and an earlier effective date.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbar strain, status post surgery with IVDS and a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches. The claims for non-compensable ratings for three surgical scars, s/p lumbar spine surgery, and 10 percent rating for painful surgical scar, posterior trunk, s/p lumbar surgery were denied. Additionally, the Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU).

The Veteran's tension headaches are granted a rating of 50 percent from November 12, 2019. The other claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Board granted an increased rating of 100 percent for PTSD and denied a higher rating for migraine headaches.

The Board granted service connection for migraine headaches as a presumptive condition related to the Veteran's service in Southwest Asia. The claims for service connection for GERD, IBS, and urinary frequency were remanded due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hemorrhoids, while remanding claims for a low back disability, left knee disability, tension headaches, GERD, chronic constipation, and hypertension.

The Board granted ratings of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, while denying higher ratings for sleep apnea with COPD and chronic headaches. TDIU was granted based on the service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of posterior cervical fusion C5-C7 with degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral knee tendonitis and osteoarthritis, and tension headaches (also claimed as migraines).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches, as the evidence did not support a finding that his attacks were productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a duty-to-assist error, as adequate medical opinions addressing the etiology of the Veteran's conditions were not obtained.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an effective date prior to March 30, 2018, for the award of service connection for tinnitus, and a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus. The Board also denied a compensable rating prior September 13, 2023, and a rating in excess of 10 percent on and after September 13, 2023, for maxillary sinusitis.