Migraines & headaches decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected disabilities effectively preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. The Board has dismissed the appeal for special home adaptation as the veteran withdrew his appeal at the July 2007 hearing. Entitlement to specially adapted housing is granted.

The veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a link between his current symptoms and service, including Gulf War exposure.

The veteran's PTSD is rated at 30 percent, and service connection for tinnitus is granted. Service connection for migraines remains unresolved.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates for various service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, post-concussive syndrome, temporal lobe seizures, neuropathy of the left common peroneal nerve, left ankle fracture, right ear hearing loss, balance disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders. The appeals are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's headaches were not shown in service and are not etiologically related to service. The medical evidence suggests they have been attributed to a number of sources, including sleep problems, tension, depression/anxiety, a physical assault, muscular origin, rebound from overuse of pain medication, recalling trauma, stress, and PTSD.,The veteran's sleeping disorder with nightmares was not shown in service and has been etiologically attributed to his diagnosed PTSD.

The veteran does not have a gastrointestinal disability, sleep disability, respiratory disability, fatigue-related condition, or an anxiety disorder that is related to his service. His PTSD has been rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board found that there is no evidence of migraine headaches in service and no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current headaces with his period of service or a service-connected disability. As such, the claim for service connection for migraine headaches was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including headaches, exudative pharyngitis, low back disability, urinary disability, psychiatric disability, sinus condition, and joint disability. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and allergies due to lack of evidence meeting the criteria for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of compensable right knee disability or service connection for low back condition, asthma, migraine, or razor bumps.

The Board has determined that further evaluation is needed for the veteran's service-connected headaches and cervical spine disability due to a lack of recent medical findings and opinions. The claims are being remanded to obtain these evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and scars of the face and scalp, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to decide the claims for migraine headaches and bilateral hearing loss, as there are conflicting medical records and service treatment records need further clarification.

The Board finds that the veteran's right ear hearing loss is service connected due to exposure to noise during service.,There is no evidence of a current right ankle disability or headaches related to service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disorder and a headache disorder, including as secondary to his sinus disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's migraine headaches pre-existed her service and were not aggravated by military service. The IBS claim was granted with a 10 percent disability rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his head injury above the right eye with residual headaches disorder is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the veteran's current tinnitus is related to his in-service acoustic trauma exposure. The decision on bilateral hearing loss and headaches remains pending.