Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been remanded due to the need for further examination or evidence in several cases. The left knee strain claim remains denied, as does all other individual conditions except for those related to service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for migraine headaches due to a duty-to-assist error and insufficient rationale in the prior VA examination. The Veteran's lay statements will be considered, along with his service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for tension headaches, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding causation and secondary service connection.

The appeal to reduce the rating for post traumatic headaches with migraine features from 50 percent to 30 percent was dismissed due to a procedural defect in docketing under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on migraine headaches and TBI, as well as service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to PTSD, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional examinations. The issues include increased ratings for lumbar spine disability, migraine headache disability, and TDIU prior to September 30, 2023.

The Veteran's initial rating for hypogammaglobulinemia is granted at a 30 percent level. The claim for service connection of migraine headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's initial TBI rating from July 16, 2012 to April 2, 2024 is granted at a 50 percent level. Ratings higher than 70 percent since April 2, 2024 are denied.

The Veteran's knee disabilities require regular assistance in accomplishing routine activities of daily living, leading to the grant of SMC at the aid and attendance rate. The issue of entitlement to SMC based on housebound status is moot.

The Board denied service connection for headaches, blurry vision, vertigo, low back disability, and left lower extremity radiculopathy as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or any exposure to hazardous chemicals.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's TBI with psychiatric disability is rated at 70 percent, meeting the criteria for this rating.,The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's headaches are currently rated at 30 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss was denied as he did not meet the criteria for a disability under VA regulations.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 30 percent for migraines was granted, effective October 16, 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and migraine headaches has been withdrawn by her authorized representative.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum VA opinion regarding whether his headache disorder, diagnosed as migraine headaches, is caused or aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the claim for service connection for migraines.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent since February 8, 2021, due to very frequent and prolonged attacks that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's migraines, OSA with tuberculosis and dyspnea, and erectile dysfunction have been granted initial disability ratings. The Veteran is now receiving a 10 percent rating for migraines from February 28, 2000, to April 5, 2021.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at 50 percent, and he is granted TDIU and special monthly compensation based on housebound status. Service connection for left foot pes planus with plantar fasciitis, hammer toes, and hallux valgus as secondary to service connected degenerative joint disease of the left knee is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic sinusitis and migraines, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 8, 2010.

The Veteran's migraine headaches were noted in service and continued after separation, meeting the criteria for service connection. However, his depression and anxiety disorders are not related to service.