Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70% to 50%, effective December 29, 2022. The reduction is restored and the Veteran's migraine headaches and bilateral pes planus claims are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's migraines were characterized as very frequent and prostrating, leading to a 50% disability rating from March 1, 2017. The effective date remains pending due to the remand.

The Veteran's tension headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has determined that the December 20, 2018 substantive appeal was timely filed due to an error in mailing the Statement of the Case (SOC) to the wrong address.

The Veteran's headache disability is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis.

All claims for service connection related to sleep apnea, skin disability (undiagnosed illness), chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, hypercholesterolemia, headache disability, asthma, chronic fatigue syndrome, hypertension/high blood pressure, and type II diabetes mellitus have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the failure to file a subsequent Notice of Disagreement after filing for Higher-Level Review.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for erectile dysfunction, a headache condition, and a left knee condition, as well as entitlement to SMC at the (k) level based on loss of use of a creative organ. The earliest date VA was made aware of these claims is May 22, 2022.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that no new and relevant evidence had been received to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, claimed as secondary to bilateral pes planus, is denied.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea on a secondary basis to the service-connected deviated nasal septum with allergic rhinitis. The claim for migraine headaches is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion.

The Veteran's migraines are granted an increased rating to 50 percent, but his rhinitis and sinusitis remain at non-compensable ratings.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both lower extremities have been denied as there was no claim filed prior to April 26, 2021.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, finding that his current headache disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has decided to remand three issues: gastrointestinal disability, headache disability, and stiffness. The Veteran's service in the Gulf War is cited as a potential exposure basis for these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, but the Board found that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, sciatic nerve disorder as secondary to the service-connected low back disability, and headache disorder.,The Veteran's current low back and sciatic nerve disorders are found to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has found that they warrant a higher rating. The ratings for lumbar strain and GERD remain unchanged. The case is being remanded to schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is being remanded due to a duty to assist error. The Board will seek an adequate VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran has a current headache disability related to his service and correct any pre-decisional errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back strain and migraines due to insufficient competent medical evidence. The Veteran's lay statements indicate a relationship between his current back and migraine complaints and his military service, but further examination is needed.