Migraines & headaches decisions — 2009

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the issues of service connection for allergies and hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy prior to a decision being made by the Board.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis, otitis externa, and chronic headaches are related to his military service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are likely related to his military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased evaluation for depression has been dismissed. The claim for an increased evaluation for migraine headaches remains denied.

The Veteran's claim of an increased rating for his service-connected migraine headaches was denied, as the current evaluation (50%) adequately reflects the severity of his symptoms. The issue of service connection for a back disorder remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The other issues on appeal have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability due to an injury or disease incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder with headaches is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches, tinnitus, and mild to moderate disc bulging at L4-5 with mild bilateral neural stenosis are granted. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and records from the Social Security Administration (SSA).

The Veteran's application for higher priority group level was denied due to his service-connected status and income. The case is being remanded for further action, including requesting updated income information and considering the award of service connection for headaches with a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected headaches due to an undiagnosed illness, effective from the date of service connection. The Veteran is also entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been found to be very frequent, completely prostrating, and prolonged attacks, productive of severe economic inadaptability. The Board has therefore granted a 50 percent disability rating for his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for the residuals of a left inguinal hernia, right shoulder disability, and migraine headaches has been granted. The initial evaluation for the residuals of a left inguinal hernia is set at 10 percent. An evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right shoulder disability is not warranted. A rating of 50 percent for migraine headaches is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are dismissed as the claim for depression is part and parcel of his already service-connected PTSD. The Board finds no allegations of errors of fact or law to review.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a headache disorder due to the lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Sycamore Shoals Hospital on February 5, 2007 are now covered by VA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma. However, the claims were denied as there is no medical evidence showing a current disability related to her service.

The Board denied service connection for eye disorders, kidney and liver disorders, dizzy spells and headaches, and PTSD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus. The evidence did not show these conditions were related to service or service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a headache disorder, which he contends was caused by heat exhaustion during active duty. The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and need for further development.