Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran's authorized representative.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for migraines are being remanded due to incomplete development of her TMJ syndrome claim, including the need for a VA examination. The issues on appeal will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's headache disorder is causally or etiologically related to his service-connected left eye disability. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection for a headache disorder is denied.

The Veteran's headaches have not resulted in very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks, preventing him from holding down employment. His service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his ability to work in security.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The claim for a lumbar spine disability was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence, while the other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for atypical headaches with combination muscle contraction headaches was denied by operation of law due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. The case is also remanded for further development regarding the service connection issue, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's right and left shin splints are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher rating warranted due to the nature of his symptoms.,The Veteran's mixed headaches have been rated at 10 percent since December 2004. The current evidence does not support a higher initial rating as there is no documentation of prostrating attacks.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The Board has denied all of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of new and material evidence or insufficient evidence. The claims are being considered on their merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including claw foot (pes cavus), peripheral vestibular disorder, edema, osteoarthritis, headaches, and chronic bronchitis. The decision is final as it was based on a prior denial in June 1962.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU and it is likely that his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected psychophysiological musculoskeletal disorder with tension headaches was rated at 10 percent from May 9, 1995 to June 12, 1997.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and a headache disability, finding no credible evidence to support the occurrence of the claimed stressors or current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a latex allergy, migraine headaches, and a psychiatric disorder are all granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including migraines, sleep apnea, irritable bowel syndrome, skin rash, and joint aches, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service or an undiagnosed illness related to his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War era.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA psychiatric examination to determine if the appellant has PTSD due to in-service stressors and a VA medical examination to determine if any current cardiovascular disability is causally related to active service. The claims will be readjudicated after this development.

The Veteran's service-connected bronchial asthma and migraine headaches prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's scar on the right third finger is found to be related to military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a residual scar of the right eyebrow, headaches, hearing loss and tinnitus are granted.