Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection for GERD and hypertension, denied service connection for hernia and migraine headaches, denied a higher rating for GERD/IBS, denied a compensable rating for hypertension, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected mental health disorder.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cluster headaches and sleep disturbances as secondary to cluster headaches due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The appeal of the proposed reduction in the evaluation of migraines is dismissed because it was not a final decision and no specific error of fact or law was alleged.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no higher, for PTSD; a 50 percent rating, but no higher, for tension headaches prior to December 13, 2022; and a 60 percent rating, but no higher, for gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome. The claim for an initial compensable rating for esophageal condition-granuloma was denied.

The Board granted service connection for migraine and migraine variants, finding that they are related to the Veteran's service-connected tinnitus.

The appeal for service connection for hemorrhoids, neck disability, and migraine headache condition has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to service-connected disability(ies) for additional development, including a new medical opinion.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and migraine disorder to correct duty to assist errors in the prior medical opinions.

The Board's decision to dismiss the appeal of a May 2020 rating decision that increased the rating for migraine and tension headaches to 50 percent, effective February 27, 2020, and continued a prior 70 percent rating for PTSD and major depressive disorder with TBI is vacated due to a procedural error.

The Board denied service connection for blurry vision and headaches, but granted service connection for tinnitus.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of migraines, including migraine variants, to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's migraines are caused by or aggravated by his service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood.

The Board remands the claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors, and denies service connection for migraines as the appeal was not timely filed.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD with sleep impairment and TBI residuals, but denied non-compensable ratings for migraine headaches and allergic rhinitis.

The Board remands the claim for a compensable rating for migraine including migraine variants to correct a duty to assist error, as an adequate medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's migraines was not obtained.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches and remanded the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ, as these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for headaches as secondary to the service-connected tinnitus and/or psychiatric disorder due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for migraines, sleep apnea, and an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches alone are found to preclude substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU. However, the criteria for SMC housebound rate have not been met.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's migraines, including migraine variants, as secondary to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).