Migraines & headaches Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and incomplete record. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a headache condition, including migraine headaches, is being returned for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of TBI and remanded the issue of direct service connection for headaches due to a lack of medical evidence establishing a link between the Veteran's in-service injury and current symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for migraine headaches is denied, and the claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from September 12, 2019 is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to active duty. The right shoulder disability claim was denied as there was no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to increased ratings for post-traumatic headaches and TBI-related cognitive impairment, as well as inextricably intertwined PTSD claims. The Veteran's appeal will be considered together with these issues.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent, the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board found that while the Veteran experienced characteristic prostrating attacks once a month, they were not very frequent or prolonged enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, low back disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, traumatic brain injury (TBI), headache disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and service.,The Board found that there was no credible evidence of an in-service injury or incident related to the claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's melanoma and eczematoid dermatitis are granted service connection. The Board finds the asthma, bilateral plantar fasciitis, cervical spine disability, headaches, and OSA issues need further development due to conflicting evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for initial ratings for TBI and headaches, as well as a separate rating for migraine headaches. The RO must readjudicate these issues after considering the April 2019 VA examinations and addressing any potential hearing requests from the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened and granted on a presumptive basis due to his Persian Gulf service. Service connection is also granted for fibromyalgia as a qualifying chronic disability related to his Persian Gulf service, and headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected somatization disorder.,The Veteran's initial 70 percent rating for somatization disorder with depressive disorder, NOS, PTSD and memory loss prior to September 6, 2019 is granted. The issue of a higher rating after that date remains pending.

The Veteran's neurological symptoms of fatigue, memory issues, sleep impairment, and headaches are found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected psychiatric disability. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been shown to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis and reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches. The remaining issues of service connection for sleep apnea, insomnia, GERD, hyperlipidemia, and fatty liver are remanded due to outstanding medical records and need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional records and opinions related to service connection for headaches.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for radiculopathy, right upper extremity (upper radicular group C5-6) associated with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical spondylosis with herniated disc at C2-3. The issue of service connection for a migraine headache disorder was remanded.

Service connection for coronary artery disease is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides.,Service connection for hypertension is granted pursuant to the PACT Act, and service connection on a direct basis is remanded.

The Board dismissed all claims of service connection and rating appeals due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as he is currently working full-time and participating in training, with no evidence of his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded both issues of service connection for headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) due to the need for further development, including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at a 50 percent disability rating, the maximum allowed under VA guidelines.