Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran requires aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities alone.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including adjustment disorder, sinusitis with headaches, status post pyeloplasty, tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, keloid formation, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 20, 2020.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for service connection for migraine headaches before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 10, 2022 for service connection of migraines based on the presumption under 38 CFR § 3.309.

The Board has granted service connection for lower back disability, erectile dysfunction (ED), headaches, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), chronic sinusitis, vertigo, neck disability, right upper and left upper extremity radiculopathy, voiding dysfunction, pseudo folliculatis barbae, right wrist pain, left wrist pain, right hip pain, left hip pain, and right ear hearing loss.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, traumatic brain injury (TBI), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and erectile dysfunction (ED) as these conditions were not caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent, effective from the date of this decision. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability is granted for all service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee meniscus tear status post arthroscopy and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to her active service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches and sleep apnea were dismissed due to procedural errors. Service connection was granted for MDD, urinary incontinence, and pelvic adhesions with an increased rating of 10% effective July 2, 2024.,Pelvic adhesions are rated under Diagnostic Code 7629 as they cause significant functional impairment due to pain and irregular bleeding that requires continuous treatment.

The Veteran's tinnitus disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and all manifestations are adequately considered under his schedular ratings.,There is no persuasive evidence that the Veteran's left knee strain or sprain, right knee strain or sprain, lower back strain (lumbosacral strain), or migraines began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI and has not had one at any time during the pendency of the claim or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were granted a 50 percent rating, effective from the date of reduction (not specified in the decision), and restoration of a 30 percent rating was also granted. The appeal for increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 3, 2022 for a 70% disability rating for PTSD is granted. The claim for an earlier effective date than May 24, 2024 for a 30% disability rating for migraines is denied. The claim for TDIU prior to March 31, 2023 is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral shoulder disabilities. The back disability claim was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, as his disability does not preclude him from ambulating independently and he has other nonservice-connected conditions that limit his ability to use assistive devices.

The Board has granted service connection for left 5th finger degenerative arthritis, left testicle pain, heartburn, and headache disorder. Service connection was denied for hearing loss in the right ear.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, finding that there was no current disability and insufficient evidence of an in-service event or disease. The Veteran did not participate in a TERA during his active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will need additional medical opinions on whether the Veteran's migraine headaches are caused or aggravated by her service-connected tinnitus, as well as if they are related to her pituitary microadenoma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a severe head injury, increased rating for migraine headaches, and earlier effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraine and tension headaches has been granted, with a 30 percent rating effective from the date of this decision.