Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected migraines were rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to their frequency and severity.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a skin disorder, and migraines. The claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (DM), peripheral neuropathy of right lower extremity (RLE), and peripheral neuropathy of left lower extremity (LLE) are REMANDED.

The Veteran's migraines are rated at a 10 percent initial rating, granted.,Service connection for TBI is granted. The Veteran had a TBI in service and continues to experience symptoms.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for service connection of migraines, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for tension headaches has been remanded. The Board requested additional evidence and an examination to assess the severity of his migraines.,The earlier effective date claim for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury is dismissed as the Veteran did not perfect his appeal within the required timeframe.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various neurological and headache disabilities, as secondary to his service-connected coronary artery disease or hypertension. The VA is instructed to obtain additional medical opinions addressing causation and aggravation of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD. The cases of OSA and headaches are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral lung disability, hypertension, migraine headaches, and a psychiatric disability due to outstanding medical records from Dixon Correctional Facility.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,There is no current diagnosis of sleep apnea, and the Veteran's claimed sleep problems are not service-connected. The Veteran's sleep impairment is already compensated for under his major depressive disorder rating.,The Veteran's headaches are granted as service-connected.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain and assigned a 10% disability rating effective from April 23, 2021. The TDIU was granted effective from May 9, 2022, based on the Veteran's PTSD and other disabilities independently rated at least 60%. SMC at the statutory housebound rate was granted effective from May 9, 2022.

The Veteran's headaches are not rated higher than zero percent due to the lack of characteristic prostrating attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent as it does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran is seeking a higher level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular and aid and attendance for cerebral dysfunction with dementia, major neurocognitive disorder and major depressive disorder due to traumatic brain injury with chronic fatigue, fainting, and dizziness at the rate specified under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(t). The AOJ must adjudicate this claim.

The Board has granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for service-connected tension headaches effective October 31, 2022. The Veteran's condition did not improve to the point that he was better able to function under ordinary conditions.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for migraine headaches due to new evidence received, and a supplemental VA opinion is needed regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's migraines.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for weight gain is denied as obesity, to include weight gain and/or weight fluctuation, is not a disability for VA compensation benefits purposes.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches is granted with a 50 percent evaluation effective May 19, 2022. The criteria for the maximum 50 percent rating are met as she experiences very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks of headache pain.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a higher initial rating for PTSD prior to April 22, 2021 and for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to that date. The Veteran was previously granted a 70% rating for PTSD effective November 5, 2010, but not higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches, including as due to obstructive sleep apnea, is remanded due to inadequate VA examination and a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, effective December 3, 2024. The rating for her right hip coxa valga is denied. Her acquired psychiatric disorder is restored to a 70 percent evaluation, effective August 1, 2021.

The Veteran's attempts to reopen service connection claims for migraines, sleep apnea, and IBS were dismissed because he did not file a timely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) as required by VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the effective date for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse should be prior to June 20, 2020. The claim is being remanded due to a failure to obtain relevant medical records from the Veteran's spouse.