Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and residuals of a ganglion cyst of the right wrist.

The Veteran's service-connected CFS with sleep disturbance, headaches, and short-term memory loss is currently rated at 40 percent effective March 23, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining the Medical Board report and clarifying whether her preexisting migraine headaches were aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a broken collar bone, acid reflux, bilateral ankle disability, cellulitis, bowel disorder, migraines, kidney failure, hiatal hernia, and bilateral pes planus. The issues have been remanded to issue an SOC.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities. The issues include reopening claims of service connection for dizziness and chronic headaches, as well as determining whether the Veteran has Meniere's disease and ear aches.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gastrointestinal swelling, intellectual problems and concentration difficulties, a psychotic disorder, memory loss, dizziness and blackouts, and headaches as secondary to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence received since the July 1999 decision did not provide new or material evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at a 30 percent initial rating, effective from the date of his service connection grant.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The Board found that the claimed disabilities are not related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) in response to the Veteran's NOD regarding termination of disability compensation benefits and overpayment of disability compensation benefits.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple secondary conditions is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of the type of hearing he desires and scheduling a hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic headaches and residuals of concussion is being remanded to the RO for further review under the new criteria for traumatic brain injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic sinusitis and initial compensable disability ratings for migraine headaches prior to June 24, 2009, as well as a higher rating for migraine headaches as of that date, were denied. The Board found no evidence of sinusitis during active duty or ACDUTRA, and there was insufficient medical nexus between the Veteran's time in service and his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches do not result in prostrating attacks occurring on average once a month over the last several months or severe economic inadaptability, and thus he is not entitled to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was not aggravated by service, and his initial rating for migraine headaches prior to April 27, 2007 is denied. However, beginning in April 27, 2007, a higher rating of 30 percent is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cataracts of both eyes, bowel problems (hemorrhoids and diverticulosis), urination problems, thickening of the walls of the left lung, cysts on the face and neck, residuals of a tumor removal on the back, a tumor on the left lung, bladder cancer, and headaches. The claims were denied as not being related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cephalgia, migraine headaches, and post-concussion syndrome was denied as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim. The claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and cervical spine disorder were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current headache disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between his current conditions and military service.