Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's post-traumatic headaches were granted a rating of 50 percent from August 29, 2018, to September 21, 2021, due to very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating and a higher rating for migraine headaches, as the evidence did not support the criteria for such ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's headaches, finding that they began during his active duty service and are not related to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and severity of the Veteran's headache disability, including whether it is more consistent with migraine headaches or TBI residuals. The Veteran will need a new VA examination without medication use.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, kidney disability, headache disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and obstructive sleep apnea due to in-service exposure to toxic chemicals. The AOJ is directed to verify the Veteran's in-service exposure to toxic chemicals at Jacksonville and Davisville.

Service connection for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is granted.,Service connection for a Headache Condition is denied. The Veteran's report of headaches during service does not support current diagnosis.,Service connection for Bilateral Hearing Loss remains pending and remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding exposure to burn pits.,Service connection for Prostate Condition remains pending and remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding toxic exposures at Camp Lejeune.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraine headaches have resulted in a disability rating of 70 percent from April 29, 2013 through February 14, 2022.

The Board has remanded the claim due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions, requiring a new examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for eczema and chronic migraines due to a need for an examination to assess the relationship between these conditions and military service, specifically exposure to burn pits. The Veteran's participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) is noted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back disability, right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, and headaches due to a duty to assist error in obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for migraine headaches due to inadequate VA examination opinions and a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as secondary to his service-connected persistent depressive disorder with moderate anxious distress, including ADHD predominantly inattentive type.

The Board found that the Veteran's combined disability rating was 90 percent from March 10, 2021 to June 14, 2021 and denied a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance and housebound status due to insufficient evidence regarding his need for regular aid and assistance. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for nocturia, urinary frequency as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea and for migraine headaches as secondary to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Veteran's current diagnoses of right ankle, knee, hip, back, skeletal arthritis, bilateral eye condition, vertigo, headaches, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities do not meet the criteria for service connection.,Service connection is denied for all claimed conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for tension headaches was denied, and the AOJ assigned a non-compensable rating. The Board is remanding this issue.,The Veteran's unspecified depressive disorder was initially rated at 10%, but evidence suggests it may be more severe. The AOJ should schedule an updated examination to assess severity before assigning any new rating.,The Veteran's right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain was initially rated at 10%. The AOJ should schedule another examination to correct the pre-decisional duty to assist error regarding functional loss and pain assessment.,The Veteran's supraventricular arrhythmia (sinus bradycardia) was initially rated as asymptomatic. The AOJ should schedule a heart examination to clarify whether exercise-based METs testing is medically contraindicated or available for accurate assessment of the disability.,The Veteran's pectus excavatum, status post chest wall reconstruction, was initially assigned a non-compensable rating due to its asymptomatic nature and pre-service percentage being zero. The AOJ should schedule another examination to correct any duty to assist errors.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not obtaining an examination that addressed whether the Veteran's symptoms are signs or symptoms of a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317, given his service in Southwest Asia and reported symptoms.

The Veteran's initial rating for migraine headaches has been granted at a 50 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's back disability remains remanded due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a headache condition, as it is related to his service-connected major depression. The VA examiner must provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's headaches are caused by or aggravated by his major depression.