Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection claims have been denied. The Board found no legal basis to award separate schedular evaluations for tinnitus in each ear, as the maximum rating of 10 percent is already assigned under Diagnostic Code 6260.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected residuals of head trauma and whether separate evaluations are warranted for any head trauma residuals. The case will also be reviewed under newly enacted criteria for traumatic brain injuries.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of headaches was denied as the earliest claim was filed on April 9, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent disabling. The rating for bilateral pes planus is increased to 10 percent effective from August 2001. Ratings of 10 percent have been continued for right and left ankle sprain.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a headache disorder was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability in service or related to service.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for headaches, a low back condition, hearing loss, and right hand and wrist conditions due to lack of medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of headaches and an undifferentiated somatoform disorder were denied as there was no evidence showing more than a slight or mild effect on employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, right ankle disability, and headaches require additional development due to the need for medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from Florida Hospital South and providing a medical opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from working. The issues of service connection for neuropathy, neurogenic bladder, IBS secondary to migraine headaches, depression, and alcoholism secondary to PTSD are also inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches have been rated at a 30 percent disability rating since the initial grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his seizure disorder and/or headaches are related to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for a VA neurological examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's migraine headaches. The Veteran is also being considered for staged rating and extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's claimed migraine headaches. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he currently suffers from migraine headaches and whether they are likely related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches effective from December 2008 and denied the claim for a compensable rating for prostate disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. His case will be scheduled for another hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have chronic headaches or plantar fasciitis, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and his claim for a TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her service, and thus denied all of her claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran's migraines are related to his service-connected heart disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches are causally related to his service-connected right eye condition, and thus grants the claim for service connection.