Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for depression, a visual defect, and hypertension have been withdrawn. The claims for migraine headaches, seizures, and low sperm count due to radiation exposure are dismissed as unsupported by the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have residuals of pneumonia, bronchitis and COPD, or cluster/migraine headaches as a result of his military service. The evidence is against finding any connection between these conditions and his time in service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues related to service connection for bilateral tinnitus, hearing loss, an eye disorder, headaches, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for fatigue, memory loss, coughing, joint pain and tension headaches as they are not related to his military service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's pre-existing migraine headaches are being remanded for a VA examination to determine if they were aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no evidence of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks for the migraine headaches, which is required for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 8100. For tinnitus, there is no provision for separate evaluations in each ear under DC 6260.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing proper notice under Dingess/Hartman.

The Board has determined that none of the Veteran's claimed disabilities are related to his service, including exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, service connection is denied for all issues.

The Board has remanded the case due to further development being required, including a determination on whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches and blackouts.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at the highest possible schedular evaluation of 50 percent, effective March 22, 2005. The Veteran has very frequent and completely prostrating headaches that cause severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's hypertension and cervical spine disability are service-connected. The Veteran has a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids, but the Board finds that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for this condition. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed spina bifida occulta or left varicocele. There is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for his genitourinary disorder or right ear hearing loss. Headaches are service-connected, but the Veteran's claim for increased evaluation was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a closed head injury, including headaches and memory loss, are rated at 10 percent due to the absence of objective neurological manifestations.

The Veteran claims service connection for a cervical spine disability, inner thigh/groin condition, and headaches that he contends are related to his service-connected low back disability. The Board finds further development is needed due to the lack of recent VA medical records and an examination addressing these claims.

The Veteran's headaches are found to be service-connected, either due to service or related to her service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development regarding service connection claims for hemorrhoids and a sinus condition, including a left maxillary retention cyst and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for a left arm disorder, finding no competent evidence linking the condition to service or service-connected low back disorder.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury, headaches, and memory loss as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the appellant's period of active duty in the Army National Guard.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches and degenerative joint disease of the left hip were not found to warrant higher disability ratings, as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for more severe evaluations under applicable rating criteria.