Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for septal deviation, service connection for tinnitus, obstructive sleep apnea, coronary artery disease (CAD), encephalopathy (claimed as headaches and vertigo), a bilateral hearing loss disability, neck injury residuals, and a lumbar spine disability. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for service connection for tinnitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for short term memory loss, a right heel disability, and headaches have been denied as there is no current medical evidence of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower back disorder but denied service connection for thoracic and cervical spine disorders, as well as a headache disorder. The Veteran's lower back disorder is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident (MVA).

The Board has granted an effective date of April 18, 2007 for the award of a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran's claim was filed on this date.

The Board found no evidence of a right knee disability in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection. The Board concluded that any current right knee, low back, or head injury disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's chronic headaches are found to be related to his in-service head injury, and service connection is granted for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's reported in-service head injury is not credible and there is no medical evidence showing a causal link between his current disabilities, including headaches and blackouts, and any in-service disease or injury. As such, service connection for residuals of a head injury was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a skin disorder (Actinic Keratosis), and PTSD have been denied. The Board found that the medical evidence is entirely unfavorable to a finding that exposure to herbicides caused any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches and fatigue has been granted. Headaches are deemed to have been incurred in service, while fatigue is secondary to his service-connected GERD.

The Board is increasing the ratings for migraine headaches and irritable bowel syndrome to the highest possible schedular levels, but remanding the claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a left knee disability due to new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding her service-connected atopic dermatitis, as well as the secondary service connection claim for menstrual migraine headaches. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's headaches and cognitive deficits, attributed to a TBI, are separate from his PTSD. The Board grants the Veteran entitlement to a separate rating for residuals of the TBI.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for schizophrenia, muscle and joint pain (generalized arthralgias), sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue, and headaches due to their complexity and need for further development.

The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's headaches are not related to his military service, including injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents during service. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the thyroid neoplasm was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and his migraine headaches, lumbar degenerative disc disease, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and hypothyroidism did not meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's dry eye disability is service-connected and warrants a 10% rating.,Prior to July 27, 2009, the Veteran's hiatal hernia disability warranted a 30% rating based on severe symptoms. After July 27, 2009, it warrants a 60% rating due to significant weight loss and other severe symptoms.,The Veteran's headaches are characterized by very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability and warrant a maximum 50% rating.

The Board found that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for headaches due to head injury and left-sided numbness and tingling due to head injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support these conditions or their onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic headaches and a peripheral vision disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.