Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 50 percent prior to November 20, 2019. The appeal for a higher rating in excess of 30 percent from November 20, 2019 and an effective date prior to June 30, 2017 has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome was denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a diagnosis or treatment for this condition during service.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 24, 2020, for the grant of service connection for migraine headaches was also denied due to lack of formal claims and existing VA records not serving as informal claims.

The Board has determined that the March 26, 2019 Notice of Disagreement was timely filed and serves to initiate an appeal with respect to the July 2017 rating decision denying service connection for various conditions.

An effective date of February 29, 2012, is granted for the award of service connection for tension headaches.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for right sciatica is denied. The RO awarded a 40 percent rating effective June 22, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD), and tension headaches due to insufficient evidence or inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's claim for loss of teeth for compensation purposes remains denied.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for residuals of left foot healed fracture is dismissed.,The Veteran's entitlement to a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 50 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been reduced to 40 percent from 40 percent and then to 10 percent, with no further increase possible under Diagnostic Code 5239. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed as the appeal period ended with a full award of benefits.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with dysthymia was denied due to symptoms not meeting criteria for a higher disability rating.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for traumatic brain injury was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his TBI began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, including the hearing request, before a decision was made. As a result, the appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's ED is remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and PTSD.,The Veteran's left hip and right hip disabilities are remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's left lower extremity and right lower extremity neurological disabilities are remanded for a VA medical opinion to determine if they are secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not addressed in this decision as no theory of service connection was provided.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine status post fusion with associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury with associated chronic post-traumatic headaches is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability and an initial rating of 50 percent for a headache disability, both effective from the date of the May 2018 RAMP opt-in. The decision is based on credible evidence showing that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for service-connected migraine headaches has been granted at a level of 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches as secondary to her service-connected tinnitus.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety associated with migraine was denied. The Board also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraines was denied as the evidence did not show very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (other specified anxiety disorder) and a migraine headache disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's chronic post-traumatic headaches are rated as noncompensable, with the Board finding that his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to insufficient evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder disability, headaches, insomnia, and memory loss as secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disability due to new evidence raised by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without assistive devices and lack of blindness in both eyes.