Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board remands the claim for service connection for migraines as secondary to tinnitus due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, requiring additional development including a new medical nexus opinion.

The appeal for a higher rating for the service-connected low back disability was denied, while appeals for other conditions were dismissed.

The Board granted restoration of the 30% rating for chronic sinusitis, migraine headaches, and dermatitis of earlobes. The claim for a higher rating for gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis and helicobacter pylori was denied.

The veteran withdrew all claims for service connection, and the appeal was dismissed.

The Board granted service connection for a respiratory disability, sinus headaches, and tinnitus. The claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis, left jugular venous distention, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple noncompensable disabilities were denied or dismissed.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and service connection, including those for PTSD (with TBI), headaches, left elbow fracture with limitation of flexion, left elbow post-operative scar (painful), right 3rd finger fracture, bilateral hearing loss, left elbow scar, right ankle sprain to include right shin splint, erectile dysfunction, right hand disability, and low back disability.

The Board granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it had its onset during service. The claim for migraines was remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for right and left ankle disorders, right and left knee disorders, tension headaches, GERD, and a sleep related breathing disorder. A 10 percent rating was also granted for the right third finger chronic soft tissue deformity.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for migraines, a neck disorder, and a back disorder to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board granted an effective date of October 11, 2021, for the award of a 50 percent evaluation for migraines.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for unspecified headaches and remanded issues related to a rating increase and service connection for sleep condition, including obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for sinusitis, tension headaches, and service connection for a dental disability. The carpal tunnel syndrome issues were remanded for further development.

The appeal for service connection for headaches was dismissed, SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance was granted, and the claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding service connection for fibromyalgia, gastritis, and migraines, as well as the issues of entitlement to compensable disability ratings for tinea cruris and tinea pedis of the bilateral great toes.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for service-connected headaches but denied a rating greater than 30 percent from August 24, 2023.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches was granted, allowing an earlier effective date of March 21, 1997.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder, finding that his symptoms did not more closely approximate total occupational and social impairment.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, to include on a secondary basis, as a new medical opinion is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for PTSD, myalgias, and TDIU as freestanding claims.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for migraines, but dismissed the claim for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as part and parcel of the increased evaluation for migraine headaches.