Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The Board has granted service connection for tension headaches as they are aggravated by a service-connected cervical spine strain. The claim for left shoulder condition is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities (headaches and depression) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, gastrointestinal condition, vision problems due to an undiagnosed illness, and headaches. The denial is based on a lack of verified in-service stressors for PTSD and insufficient evidence of current diagnoses or linkages to service for the other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board denied service connection for a knee disability, diarrhea, headaches other than CFS, and memory loss other than CFS. The veteran's claims were not based on exposure to any specific environment or presumption.

The veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 80 percent, and the VA examiner concluded that he is capable of sedentary employment due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board denied TDIU as the veteran is not precluded from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as they allow for some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and headaches as a residual of head injury and residuals of frostbite. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, clarify diagnoses, and determine if there is a link between current symptoms and in-service stressors.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and gastrointestinal disability due to issues with obtaining medical records, including SSA records. The veteran is also referred for a VA examination to determine if his current conditions are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury in December 1997, finding no current disability related to service. New evidence submitted since then does not provide new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for a neurologic and psychiatric examination, and ensuring that all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for migraine headaches and an eye disorder, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence showing pre-existing conditions existed prior to service or were aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including hypertension and diabetes mellitus with venostasis ulcers. The veteran's initial rating for diabetes mellitus is set at 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a headache disorder on a direct basis and his request for an increased rating for pre-retinal hemorrhage of the left eye.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's cysts on the back were not incurred in service and may not be presumed to have been caused by herbicide exposure. The claim for migraine headaches was remanded due to insufficient evidence, and the bladder tumor claim is pending as VA records are needed.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for generalized anxiety disorder and migraine headaches, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence to support his assertions of in-service injury or related disabilities.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for service-connected migraine headaches, effective August 11, 2005. The veteran's right shoulder myofascial pain issue is addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.