Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and migraine headaches are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for hearing loss and TDIU, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The effective date for the grant of a TDIU was determined to be September 26, 2003.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus and chronic headaches, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and a psychiatric disorder, claimed as anxiety disorder, are being remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss did not begin during service and is not presumed to have been incurred therein. The evidence does not support a finding of current tinnitus or headaches, nor does it establish a link between any diagnosed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for convergence insufficiency with diplopia and secondary headaches, resulting in a denial.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for post-operative herniated disc and migraine headaches were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for schizophrenia is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the medical records do not show any link between his military service and his claimed condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) for the cause of the Veteran's death. The evidence now shows a causal connection between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his accidental death from a tractor rollover.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, left ankle disability, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and gastritis. The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence did not support these claims.

The Veteran's depression is found to be related to his service-connected migraine headaches and temporomandibular joint syndrome, with the Board granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to render her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are all related to his service. The Veteran's migraine headaches were incurred during service, his bilateral hearing loss is not related to service, and his tinnitus began after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and tinea versicolor of the neck were denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to her military service. Her claim for herpes was granted with a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's chronic headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, and right inguinal hernia were all incurred during his period of active service from February 2003 to August 2004. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and attempting to obtain a spousal examination report.

The Veteran's cold injuries to the hands and feet, as well as his hypertension, myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease status post stent placement and angioplasty, were all found to be related to service. The Board granted these claims.

The Veteran's right and left trapezius strains, right hip strain, left hip strain, and a disability characterized by edema of the lower extremities (claimed as right and left thigh pain) are all found to be proximately due to her service-connected migraine headaches. Service connection for additional right and left knee disabilities is denied as they are not related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is also denied as it was not incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and VA examinations. Specifically, SSA records are needed, a VA examination for migraines is required, and a VA examination for her tailbone disorder is necessary.