Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Veteran's medical expenses at St. Francis Heart Hospital were reimbursed as the VA facilities were not feasibly available and the emergency situation had not resolved prior to his discharge.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain VA treatment records and determine the etiology of his headaches, including whether they are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident or secondary to his service-connected cervical spondylosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the severity of his service-connected migraine headaches and PTSD with depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sinus problems due to an undiagnosed illness is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The claims for service connection for headaches and muscle pain and fatigue are denied as they do not relate to a known condition or injury incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical treatment records and a more current VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right Achilles tendon disability was not granted an increase in rating, while the other conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board found that there is no competent medical evidence of a current disability related to facial pain or paralysis, and the Veteran's headaches are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disability, malignant melanoma on the right upper chest and shoulder, headaches, a right index finger cyst/histiocytoma, and an impaired immune system were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service or any exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, major depression, headaches, right ear hearing loss, and tinnitus have been denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders and lymphadenopathy. The issues were related to whether new evidence had been submitted that could reopen his previously denied claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of heat exhaustion attributable to her military service and is therefore denying this claim. The issue of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches is remanded due to a need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is pending. The appeal regarding the April 1999 rating decision assigning a 40 percent initial rating for grand mal epilepsy has been granted, but the issue of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in that decision remains unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with her abilities, aptitudes, and interests. As the effects of an employability impairment have been overcome, she does not have an employment handicap.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, fatigue, shortness of breath, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, tinea pedis and tinea capitis, and headaches as they are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The Court ordered that the claim of service connection for migraine headaches be remanded to obtain a medical nexus opinion prior to rendering a decision on the merits.

The Board has determined that it does not have jurisdiction over the issue of whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen a claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as a nervous condition and depression due to lack of timely filed Substantive Appeal.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, but his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disability and headaches do not meet the criteria for service connection or a compensable rating, respectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and PTSD due to incomplete development of evidence, including obtaining records from his railroad employer and seeking verification of in-service stressors.