Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claimed dizziness and headaches are not related to service, and the compensable scar evaluations for his head and knee scars are denied.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left arm injury and migraine headache disorder claimed as secondary to surgery for a left arm injury, finding that the appellant did not have recognized service during this period.

The Veteran's right shoulder, right knee, and left knee disabilities are all found to be service-connected.,Headaches have been granted a noncompensable rating prior to March 30, 2006. Since then, the Veteran is rated at 10 percent for headaches.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and treatment records, as well as a VR&E folder. The claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial evaluations for his claimed conditions, including chronic headaches, left ear hearing loss, low back disorder, and right ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluation of his service-connected post-concussion disorder with cognitive impairment and headaches, as well as for the addition of all VA clinical records from June 11, 2009 to the present. The issues of service connection for tinnitus and lower stomach disability secondary to a chest and stomach injury are no longer before the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for headaches, finding no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the retrieval of outstanding medical records and further examination to determine if he has any forehead or back disorders related to his service-connected chronic sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate medical opinions and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for her service-connected migraine headaches disability. The Board has determined that additional development, including a VA examination and review of medical records, is necessary to properly adjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's TBI-related conditions, including post concussion syndrome with cognitive disorder and personality changes, headaches, insomnia, anosmia (complete loss of sense of smell), and disequilibrium, have been rated as 50 percent disabling since September 1, 2003. Since October 23, 2008, the Veteran's TBI-related conditions have not warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her right shoulder acromioclavicular subluxation, left shoulder reconstruction with residuals (exclusive of a period of an assigned temporary total rating), and migraine headaches were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support granting any increased ratings.

The Veteran's Dupuytren's contracture of the right hand was found to be incurred in service and granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that they do not warrant a higher rating based on their frequency or severity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain, 30 percent for thoracolumbar radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis, or any additional rating for groin pain.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at 50 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial rating and earlier effective date for service connection of concussion syndrome manifested by headaches were denied. The Board also determined that the claim for service connection of blackouts and dizziness was not granted, as there is no competent and credible evidence linking these symptoms to his military service.