Migraines & headaches decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative right inguinal hernia and chronic sinusitis are service-connected, while his claim for a postoperative left inguinal hernia is denied. The tension headaches have been remanded to the RO.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of service-connected hypertension, sarcoidosis, and vascular headaches are being remanded due to the failure to obtain necessary medical records and provide proper VCAA notification.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a liver disorder, residuals of head injury (including headaches), and hemorrhoids. The evidence did not meet the criteria to reopen the claim for a liver disorder, and there was no new or material evidence presented.

The veteran's claims for headaches, joint hematomas with swelling, and chest pain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The veteran's claims for unspecified joint hematomas with swelling and chest pain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,The veteran's claim for chest pain is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the appellant's attempts to reopen his claims of service connection for migraine headache disorder, personality disorder, and arthritis of wrists, knees, and ankles. The evidence submitted does not meet the criteria for reopening these claims.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and employment information.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, headaches, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus. The veteran did not have a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary and the case is REMANDED for further action.

The veteran's heart problems with hypertension are found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD.,For the period beginning May 22, 1998 and ending September 20, 2000, the veteran is granted a 10 percent evaluation for headaches. For the period starting September 21, 2000, he is granted a 50 percent evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including a VA examination for the nasal fracture and migraine headaches.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability, or that any such disability was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for ocular migraine headaches is being remanded due to the need for further examination and clarification of symptoms.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lupus erythematosus with hypertension and migraine headaches, finding that the earliest legal basis for such a claim was December 7, 2000.

The veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, headaches due to trauma, and depression are being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the June 1949 rating decision denying service connection for migraine headaches was based on clear and unmistakable error, and therefore reversed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection for hemorrhoids, low back disorder (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), hypertension, edema of the feet, ankles, hands, abdomen, and face, diabetes mellitus, abnormal laboratory findings, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, liver disability (to include cirrhosis), respiratory (lung) disability, osteoarthritis of the major and minor joints, eye disability, tremors of the upper extremities, carpal tunnel syndrome, Meniere's syndrome, headaches with dizziness, nausea, and lightheadedness, chronic Candida, low back pain with pain radiating into the hips (previously characterized as developmental anomaly of the lumbar spine), an acquired hamstring disorder, an acquired bilateral hip disorder, a bilateral knee disorder, and a bilateral elbow disorder. However, service connection is not established for any of these conditions.

The Board found that hearing loss was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claims for headaches and lung disability were reopened, but the veteran's current hearing loss is attributed to post-service noise exposure.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for PTSD and migraine headaches, as her conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted a 100 percent evaluation for the veteran's service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder and psychosomatic tension/vascular headaches effective September 24, 1996. The decision also grants an earlier effective date of November 1, 1993.