Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, as secondary to his service-connected tinnitus. The August 2021 rating decision denied this claim on a secondary basis and the Board finds that the medical opinion relied upon by the RO is inadequate.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension and service connection for headaches and dizziness/lightheadedness, all secondary to his service-connected hypertension. The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors in obtaining relevant private treatment records and developing the service connection claims.

The Veteran's disability ratings for migraine, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), epilepsy with recurrent seizures, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), lumbosacral strain, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome were improperly reduced to noncompensable effective January 1, 2023. The ratings are restored.

The Veteran's appeals for GERD, migraines, and hearing loss have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate these claims as they are now closed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for additional examinations. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, headache disorder, and gastrointestinal disorder are all in question.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic headaches and G6PD deficiency due to incomplete military records, particularly regarding his service in the U.S. Navy.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are caused by his service-connected tinnitus, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation due to missed VA examinations, and a PACT Act claim may be raised based on implicit participation in a TERA.

The Veteran's service-connected TBI, headaches, and right hip disabilities have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment due to their combined impact on his ability to work. The Board has granted a total disability evaluation based upon individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error and the case is being remanded for further development regarding service connection for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for unspecified anxiety disorder effective May 1, 2022 is denied.,Service connection for headaches secondary to tinnitus is denied. The Veteran does not have a present diagnosis for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, headaches, and obstructive sleep apnea due to a duty to assist error. Additional medical examinations are needed to determine if these conditions were incurred in or related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding secondary service connection. The Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral ulnar neuropathy and migraine headaches are currently service connected, but the VA examiner did not address whether these disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected finger injuries.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, otosclerosis, and migraines were not found to be service-connected.,The Board denied the claims for bilateral hearing loss, otosclerosis, and migraines due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for residuals of mild traumatic brain injury with post-traumatic headaches was denied. The evidence did not show that the condition resulted in Level 2 impairment, which is necessary to warrant a 40 percent rating.,The Veteran's application for TDIU was also denied as his service-connected disabilities alone do not meet the schedular criteria for individual unemployability.

The Veteran's initial evaluation for PTSD was denied, but he received a 50 percent evaluation for migraine headaches. The decision also noted that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximated the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for nonspecific headaches was denied as the evidence did not show that his headaches were of such severity and frequency to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for headaches as secondary to his service-connected hypertension.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches prior to August 10, 2022 is granted. The claim of an initial compensable rating for headaches is remanded.

The appeal regarding the increased rating for post-traumatic headaches is dismissed because the November 2022 rating decision only identified a duty to assist error and did not adjudicate the merits of the claim.