Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, hemorrhoids, allergic rhinitis, cervicalgia, and headaches. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements of in-service symptoms and VA medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include unspecified depressive disorder, and for headaches. The Veteran's current sleep condition is not currently diagnosed or shown by objective evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities because his employment history did not show he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, despite having multiple service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and knee conditions and psychiatric disorder, prevent him from securing or maintaining gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of at least 70 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The effective date of the grants was set at September 6, 2011.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a compensable rating for headaches, and the Board has dismissed the case as a result.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for migraines is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the August 2018 VA examination used in the July 2020 decision.

The Veteran's service connection for PTSD and eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) were granted effective January 21, 2019. However, his claim for a higher rating for tension headaches was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraines are granted an initial 30 percent rating, but not higher. The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches occur at least once a month and most closely approximated characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over the last several months.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for IBS and a headache disability have been granted. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his neck, right ankle, and right elbow disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are significant, but his employment status is unclear. The Board finds a pre-duty to assist error and remands for clarification of the Veteran's work status since November 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraines, chronic pain syndrome, and low back pain due to a lack of VA attempts to obtain relevant medical records. The Veteran's lay statements and a non-VA orthopedic surgeon's opinion will be addressed in the examination.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to address service connection and aggravation issues related to the Veteran's headache disorder, including migraine variants. The hypertension issue remains under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and a headache disability due to potential exposure in Southwest Asia. The examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service, including participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as both the Veteran and his representative requested to withdraw their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection of bilateral knee condition, back disability, headaches, and acquired psychiatric condition are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected headaches, finding that they are productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding reducing the disability rating for service-connected tension headaches from 30 percent to a noncompensable rating because the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for service-connected TBI is granted, but the claim of an increased rating for post-concussive headaches remains pending and requires further examination.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and cervical spine have been granted increased ratings to 30 percent, effective from November 8, 2019.