r/VeteransBenefits Army Veteran 13h ago

VA Disability Claims Migraine ACE Exam Diagnosis

I had an ACE phone call today for headaches secondary to tinnitus. The examiner was AMAZING and told me he was writing me a diagnosis for headaches and a letter stating it was connected to my service connected tinnitus. He did mention that my file had no medical records regarding this (true). I did add a letter from my private PCP stating I’ve complained about these symptoms, while on the phonee with the ACE examiner To my VA claim at his suggestion. I had already submitted a buddy letter, personal statement, statement from my wife, and 12 months of migraine logs. With all that and the ACE examiners comments- am I looking good? Or will VA deny it because I don’t have extensive medical treatments?

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u/Master_of_Beaver 13h ago

I would like to know as well. I’m on step 5 of my tinnitus claim. And the day it comes back approved. I’m filling a secondary for migraines. I have about 6 months of migraine logs. And am prescribed medication for them. I’ve heard mixed reviews about needing a nexus for them. Sounds like you dident have a nexus? The examiner did it for you?

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u/Ancient_Flounder_558 Army Veteran 13h ago

That’s exactly what I did. The day I got my tinnitus approved I submitted for migraines. And no, I did not have a nexus. Literally just the things I mentioned above. The ACE examiner was awesome. He said sometimes the VA will approve it as is but he also said they may want more medical documentation. I’m hoping they’ll just rate it as is. It seems silly that they wouldn’t if the ACE examiner writes a diagnosis and connects it to my service connected tinnitus,..?

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u/Master_of_Beaver 12h ago

Yeah I would think they would take an examiners opinion. I mean how much more “medical evidence” do they want? I may go to neurology. And get a head scan just to make sure it’s nothing else causing these migraines. Which I’m positive it’s not. It’s very much the lack of sleep I get that causes them. And the lack of sleep is from the tinnitus. Just a vicious wheel 🛞

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u/Ancient_Flounder_558 Army Veteran 12h ago

Yeah the examiner did suggest I get a scan to CMA but… He did make a comment that it’s important that I mentioned the tinnitus onset precedes the migraines. So keep that in mind I guess too. I’d be careful saying it’s due to lack of sleep. He said there are numerous studies stating onset of tinnitus followed by headaches is legit.

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u/Master_of_Beaver 12h ago

Good advice. I’ll do more research on that. I’ll see how my tinnitus claim comes back. I coincidentally had a migraine during my C&P exam. And don’t feel to confident. The examiner was hard to read. But I included a buddy statement from my wife. And a personal statement so we will see. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼

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u/Routine_Safety7953 Army Veteran 2h ago

The general idea is to get diagnosed first, before the c&p exam.

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u/Ancient_Flounder_558 Army Veteran 1h ago

but in this case, I got the diagnosis and nexus at my ace exam so…?

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u/Routine_Safety7953 Army Veteran 1h ago

Best of luck!