Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Board has granted service connection for a residual scar from head laceration and denied service connection for headaches as residuals of a head laceration, numbness in arms and legs as residuals of a head laceration. The Veteran's claim for PTSD is also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination for hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for various psychiatric disorders, a sinus disorder, and migraine headaches. The case is being remanded to the RO for further development of records related to his August 2002 motor vehicle accident, including mental health treatment records from RAF Lackenheath, England, and criminal court records in Pima County, Arizona.

The Veteran's service-connected headaches are productive of a disability picture that more nearly approximates characteristic prostrating attacks occurring at least monthly, warranting an initial evaluation of 30 percent.

The Veteran's headache disability is found to be related to his service-connected PTSD, and his IBS is found to be secondary to his service-connected PTSD. Both conditions are granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues are dismissed.

The case is being remanded for further examination and development due to incomplete service medical records.

The Veteran's recurrent tension-type headaches have been rated at 10 percent since November 1, 2004.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining information about claimed stressors and conducting VA examinations to clarify diagnoses and assess etiology.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin rashes, aches and joint pain, major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fatigue, numbness of fingertips, and migraines. However, the criteria for service connection have not been met for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a sinus disorder, and the Veteran's posttraumatic nasal septum deviation did not meet criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's headaches have worsened since service, manifesting three to four times monthly and necessitating the use of medication. The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating is warranted for his migraine headaches under Diagnostic Code 8100.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed chronic tension headaches are not related to his period of active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle and joint pain, fatigue, headaches, respiratory symptoms, and sleep disturbance are denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating for hypertension, and there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for Meniere's disease, meningioma (claimed as headaches), or dizziness/vertigo.

The Veteran's cervical headaches are currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Board finds that this evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic headache disorder and bilateral hearing loss are likely related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's lung disability and migraine headaches are reopened as they may be related to exposure to pesticides during service. The right foot disability is not rated higher than non-compensable.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 21, 2006 for the award of service connection for various disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that a formal application was received within one year of his informal claim.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of any residuals of neck and back injuries, including headaches, dizziness, sleep problems, and numbness in the extremities. The examiner should consider all service treatment records, including those related to the Veteran's May 1980 reported injury.