Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU related to his service-connected headache disorder are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from non-VA providers.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for tension headaches, multi-level DDD, cervical spine (neck condition secondary to facial nerve palsy), right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to inadequate examination findings. The VA will schedule a new examination to address these issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disability, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), headaches as secondary to service-connected tinnitus, and insomnia due to service-connected disabilities. The decision is based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and diagnoses provided by medical professionals.

The Board has denied service connection for high cholesterol, sciatica prior to July 8, 2022, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), TMJ, GERD, CFS, bilateral ankle disabilities, tinnitus, headaches prior to December 29, 2023, insomnia with unrestful sleep, and a mental health disorder. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted TDIU effective June 1, 2019. The Board finds that the AOJ failed to consider her specific job requirements and limitations caused by service-connected disabilities prior to May 1, 2019. Therefore, a remand is necessary for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed headache disability and therefore, cannot establish service connection for headaches.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's request for a higher-level review of his August 2022 decision because it was concurrent with another request, and such concurrent requests are prohibited by law.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 30 percent rating, effective September 15, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran's migraines meet the criteria for a 30 percent rating due to characteristic prostrating attacks occurring once a month over several months.

The Veteran's headaches are not considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral tinnitus disability.,The Veteran's dizziness is also not considered secondary to his service-connected bilateral tinnitus disability.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of September 24, 2018 for his total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to a combination of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches, which were characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability, are now rated at the highest possible level (50%) effective May 25, 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of headache syndrome was granted with an effective date of August 19, 2019. The Board found that the claim should have been received on August 24, 2021, and thus resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the appeals of service connection for anxiety and depression, as well as migraine headaches, due to failure to comply with appropriate claims processing rules regarding an appeal to the Board.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for tension headaches and visual field defect associated with facial nerve palsy have been remanded due to insufficient evidence or need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected erectile dysfunction (ED) is found to be the cause of his migraine headaches, and thus he has been granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, effective July 27, 2022. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been raised by the record and is being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits was granted in full, resulting in the dismissal of these issues.,The Veteran's headaches with dizziness were rated at 30 percent prior to February 23, 2022. The Board found that while he experienced characteristic prostrating attacks once a month, they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of severe economic inadaptability.,Prior to February 23, 2022, the Veteran's lumbar strain was rated at 10 percent. The Board found that while he experienced characteristic prostrating attacks once a month, they did not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to lack of severe economic inadaptability.,After February 23, 2022, the Veteran's lumbar strain was rated at 20 percent and this rating is denied as there is no evidence of incapacitating episodes or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Board granted service connection for sinusitis and denied the claims for service connection for left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, low back disorder, left lower extremity numbness, right lower extremity numbness, left upper extremity numbness, right upper extremity numbness, and tension headaches.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a separate compensable disability rating for headaches secondary to hypertension are remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. The Veteran is entitled to a rating of 10 percent, but no higher, for his service-connected right index finger and right long finger since July 19, 2021. However, the claim for service connection for migraines remains pending as it requires additional medical opinion regarding causation and aggravation.