Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at a 50 percent rating, which is granted. However, service connection for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent rating since September 24, 2008.,Prior to May 17, 2010, the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is rated at a 30 percent rating. From May 17, 2010, to November 15, 2017, it is rated at a 70 percent rating.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the reduction in disability rating for tension headaches from 10 percent to 0 percent, effective May 1, 2023, was not effectuated. The Veteran's benefit of a 50 percent disability rating for tension headaches was granted by the AOJ.

The Board has determined that there is a pre-decisional duty to assist error in the current rating decision and remands the case for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's headaches are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's current headache disability began in, and has continued since, active service.,The Veteran's TBI is related to an injury during active service. The Board finds that the September 2020 opinion is inadequate with respect to the question of nexus because the examiner did not address how the Veteran had a resolved TBI and residual symptoms but no diagnosis.,The pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated beyond its natural progression during service, and clear and unmistakable evidence was not shown that the increase in disability is due to the natural progress of the disease.

The Veteran's headaches are granted a 50% rating, but his skin condition head (scalp) is denied any compensable rating. The effective date for SMC at the housebound rate is set to January 26, 2019, and the effective date for service connection for headaches is also set to February 8, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches due to insufficient examination findings and lack of explanation regarding the impact on work.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC claims were denied as her service-connected conditions, including migraine headaches, PTSD, sleep apnea, and lumbar strain, did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board found that the Veteran was able to work during the appeal period despite missing some days due to her migraines.

The Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities from November 1, 2016, to March 24, 2020.

The Veteran's appeal of his service connection claim for migraine headaches is remanded due to the need for a clarifying VA examination and opinion regarding whether his tinnitus may cause or aggravate his migraines.

The Board has dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for headaches and has remanded the issue of service connection for vertigo, to include disequilibrium, as secondary to service connected tinnitus and headaches.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA was granted with an effective date of December 20, 2022. The Board found that the increase in disability occurred within one-year prior to the date of claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations were denied. The Veteran was awarded a 10% evaluation for hypertension and a 30% evaluation for cervical myositis with cervical spine spondylosis, but the maximum benefits are not granted.

The Veteran's claim for a 100% rating for other specified anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder and traumatic brain injury (TBI) with residual neurocognitive disorder, dizziness, and giddiness is granted. The claims for increased ratings of service-connected visual constriction and tinnitus are denied. An effective date of March 4, 2021, but no earlier, for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under 38 U.S.C. chapter 35 is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraines is granted as his headaches began in service and are related to his current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's OSA is caused by his service-connected migraine headaches, with obesity as an intermediate step. Therefore, service connection for OSA is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for a left knee condition, back condition, and migraines have been dismissed due to procedural errors. The appeal for migraines is being remanded.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, tension headaches, insomnia disorder, right thumb strain, and bilateral plantar fasciitis with pes planus. The Veteran's left eye pterygium was assigned a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches as secondary to tinnitus, but has remanded the cases of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obstructive sleep apnea due to potential toxic exposure.