Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and migraines did not prevent her from securing or following substantially gainful employment during the period of appeal.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches and lumbosacral strain is granted. The Veteran receives a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability, but no other ratings are granted or denied.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at a maximum of 50 percent, which is the highest schedular rating available. The Board found that his symptoms more nearly approximated this level of disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for headaches associated with tinnitus and obstructive sleep apnea are granted. The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches are caused by his service-connected tinnitus, while the cause of his obstructive sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error in associating VA treatment records, including non-VA care and coordination documents. The Veteran's file must be corrected with these additional records before the claim can be reconsidered.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,An effective date of March 26, 2023 for the 40 percent evaluation for degenerative disc disease and lumbosacral strain has been granted.,An earlier effective date than April 17, 2024 for the 50 percent evaluation for temporomandibular joint dysfunction is denied.,The Veteran's lower extremity radiculopathy evaluations are all denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's migraines are rated at their maximum schedular rating of 50 percent and no extraschedular evaluation has been granted.,The Veteran's left knee chondromalacia is also rated at its maximum schedular rating of 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the onset and cause of the Veteran's headaches, particularly in relation to her service-connected allergic rhinitis. The Veteran will be provided with a VA examination to address these issues.

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

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 100 percent for PTSD is granted, and the issue of service connection for sleep apnea is readjudicated. The TDIU issue is dismissed due to the grant of a 100 percent rating for PTSD. The issues of service connection for headaches, lower back condition, and hypertension are remanded.

Service connection for migraine headaches and OSA is granted.,The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his service, with evidence of continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of her claims for service connection for fatigue, female sexual arousal disorder, migraines, and sore gums after the removal of wisdom teeth.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,PTSD resulted in reduced reliability and productivity, but did not meet criteria for a higher rating.,Tension headaches did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on characteristic prostrating attacks.,Degenerative arthritis of cervical spine did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,Right shoulder impingement did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,Left shoulder impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to limitation of motion.,IBS manifested as moderate, frequent episodes of abdominal distress and did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA medical opinions addressing aggravation of the claimed conditions by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's current left knee strain, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and tension headaches are being evaluated for possible secondary aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic tension headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of proper consideration of theories of service connection for migraines, including whether they are secondary to PTSD or right knee strain.

The Veteran's unspecified anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform occupational tasks.,The Veteran's right wrist strain is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence supporting an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's appeals seeking to restore ratings for GERD, Headaches, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection for migraines, leading to the dismissal of the case.