Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), a back disorder, and tension migraine headaches were denied as there is no credible evidence of in-service stressors or current diagnoses related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including hearing loss, headaches, cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, hemorrhoids, digestive disorders, a tumor, facial nerve condition, erectile dysfunction, prostate disability, glaucoma, and skin conditions are all granted. The basis of the presumption is exposure to herbicides during active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are etiologically related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic headaches and an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and PTSD. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for headaches has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of his case.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for a broken jaw, leg scars, back problems, whiplash, bilateral shoulder injuries, chronic headaches, and chest pain. The evidence received since the May 1998 rating decisions is not new and material.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his service connection claims, including a VA examination to determine the onset of any current allergic rhinitis or headaches. The TDIU claim is also being remanded due to its interdependence with the service connection claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient development and an inadequate VA examination. The case needs further review after obtaining additional medical records and seeking clarification from the March 2010 VA examiner regarding whether his service-connected asbestosis alone renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of those related to hearing loss and arthritis pain. The Veteran was also awarded initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for certain conditions.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that they more closely resemble a condition warranting a 30 percent rating due to characteristic prostrating attacks occurring on an average once a month over several months. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and a jaw disorder, finding no competent or credible evidence associating the Veteran's current conditions to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and to reopen his claim for service connection for nausea and dizziness as residuals of head injuries, finding no nexus between current symptoms and in-service head injuries.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development of private medical records and readjudication.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Type II diabetes mellitus. The claims for migraine headaches and residuals of a cut on the inner left thigh (right thigh scar) are still pending as further development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for regular aid and attendance, as she is able to perform her activities of daily living without requiring assistance from another person.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected post concussion encephalopathy with headaches, due to skull fracture. The TDIU claim is also deferred pending resolution of the increased rating claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for healed fracture of the right proximal ulna, and service connection for residuals of a traumatic brain injury. The claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury was reopened due to new evidence submitted since May 2004, but it remains denied as there is no current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's service connection for headaches (claimed as migraines) has been granted. However, his initial increased evaluation for PTSD remains denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete records.

The Board denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (T/R) from January 2004 to March 2005 and from December 2005 to September 2006, finding that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the minimum percentage requirements for a T/R.