Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has granted an effective date of June 8, 2019 for the award of service connection for migraines. This decision is based on a request to reopen a previously denied claim.

The Board has granted a 70 percent disability rating for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, but has remanded the claim for a higher rating of his migraine disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for tension headaches and acid reflux due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to provide additional medical records from Social Security Administration, undergo a VA examination, and receive an addendum opinion.

The Veteran's earlier effective date for the 50 percent rating for headaches is denied.,The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, including adjustment disorder with depressed mood associated with posttraumatic headaches and concussion, is rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support an increase in the disability rating.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of left shoulder disability as it was granted in a previous decision. The claims for skin and migraine headaches are remanded due to inadequate pre-decisional duty to assist.

The appeal for GERD service connection is dismissed.,Service connection for alcohol abuse as secondary to PTSD is granted, along with service connection for avascular necrosis of the left and right hips as secondary to alcohol abuse.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to readjudicate his claim for service connection for heat-related illness, finding that new and relevant evidence supports a link between his current conditions of heat intolerance and migraine headaches and his in-service heat injuries. The Board also granted service connection for these residuals.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings and restoration of a rating for various conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder and tinnitus have been granted service connection. The claims for migraines and scoliosis are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's tension headaches have resulted in constant, stable pain and sensitivity to light. The Board finds the evidence of record is at least in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's headache disability resulted in symptoms commensurate with a 30 percent rating due to prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months. A 10 percent rating for tension headaches under DC 8100 is granted, effective November 19, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, headaches, and depression NOS and adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood. The Veteran's reported symptoms in service are considered credible, and the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD and migraine headaches are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The Board requires VA to obtain the private DBQs submitted by the Veteran, or provide him with an opportunity for VA examinations.

The Veteran's tension headaches are characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, resulting in severe economic inadaptability. The Board has granted a 50% rating for this condition.

The Veteran's TDIU and housebound status claims are both granted due to the severity of her service-connected disabilities, which render her unable to work and substantially confined to her home.

The appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder or insomnia, sleep apnea, and increased ratings for post-operative residuals spinal fusion/IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), painful scar, status post laminectomy, scars, status post laminectomy and spinal fusion surgeries, and maxillary sinusitis has been dismissed as the Veteran's attorney withdrew his appeal in June 2024.,The appeal regarding entitlement to service connection for headaches was rendered moot by the AOJ's award of service connection for headaches in February 2024.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's headaches, including whether they are related to service or his TBI. The VA is required to provide a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's effective date for basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) based on permanent and total disability status is granted as of March 20, 2020.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD with TBI is denied. The earliest proper effective date is March 20, 2020.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error, and will provide further examination and opinions regarding the Veteran's headaches.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including major depressive disorder, pulmonary vascular disease, post-phlebitic syndrome of the left lower extremity, and migraine headaches.