Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches, diagnosed as migraine headaches, is granted. The Board finds that the evidence supports a direct link between the veteran's military service and his current diagnosis of migraines.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and assigned a 10 percent disability rating. The Veteran's eye disability is separately rated as part of his diabetes mellitus. No higher initial ratings are warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing more details about the Veteran's Army Reserve service.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for updated medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, hip disability, and headaches. The case will be returned after completion of this development.

The Veteran was granted a 100% disability rating for organic brain syndrome and dementia due to cerebral concussion with headaches in November 2003, effective from March 6, 1998. The claimant is seeking an earlier effective date.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck disorder and headaches were not incurred or aggravated as a result of his service. The evidence did not show any direct link to service, nor was there clear and unmistakable evidence showing pre-service existence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to address the Veteran's headaches and foot disorders. The appeal is now pending with the AMC/RO.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right atrial enlargement. The issue is being remanded due to new evidence added since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a brain injury and PTSD is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and verifying stressor events.

The Veteran's muscle tension headaches are rated as noncompensably disabling (0 percent) due to the frequency and severity of her attacks, which do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DC 8100. The claims for service connection for left and right hip disorders were denied as there is no evidence that these conditions are related to active service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, including migraine headaches, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for post concussion syndrome with cognitive disorder, headaches, insomnia, anosmia, and disequilibrium was denied by the RO. The maximum schedular rating of 50 percent has been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including headaches, fatigue, respiratory issues, right hip disability, cervical spine disability, abnormal weight loss, muscle pain, and cardiac disability, have been denied as secondary to other service-connected conditions. The Board found no evidence of chronicity or presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, and migraine/cluster headaches due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and clarify whether he still desires a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's posttraumatic tension headaches were rated at 30 percent since March 31, 2005. The claim for an increased rating was granted.

The Veteran's unauthorized emergency room visit at the University of Wisconsin Hospital was denied as he did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations, despite his claim that he intended to seek treatment at a VA facility.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of Social Security Administration (SSA) records and reconsideration of the Veteran's claims for service connection as due to undiagnosed illness.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition and a left elbow condition. Additional VA examinations are required to determine the nature, extent, and etiology of these conditions.