Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical opinions and Social Security Administration records. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are PTSD, dysthymia, migraine headaches, bilateral metatarsalgia with callosities, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's migraines are characterized by frequent headaches and regularly occurring prostrating attacks, but not very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks productive of severe economic inadaptability. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for service-connected migraines are not met.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the source of the Veteran's Methadone and Oxycodone usage, as well as whether there was willful misconduct involved in his death. The case is remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches, service connection for diabetes mellitus, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of cataract removal were denied as the evidence did not support granting these benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a head injury, including headaches, seizures, blackouts, and blurred vision; a scar on the left temple; and depression. The Board found that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence to show that any current disabilities were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for right knee chondromalacia, but did not find any other conditions related to active service.

The Veteran's original claim for service connection was received more than one year after his discharge from active duty, and thus the effective date of service connection is June 8, 2004.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia with right-sided headaches. The claim is now considered for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's dysthymic disorder is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected knee and right ankle disabilities, including pain caused by these conditions. The Veteran's migraine headaches are also found to be at least as likely as not related to his service-connected knee and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment over the entire rating period considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches, including tension and migraine headaches, are related to his active service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is granted as there was a current disability, in-service symptomatology, and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches. The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and determination of whether his current headache disability had its onset in service or is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, bronchial asthma, bronchitis, shin splints of the right leg, shin splints of the left leg, migraine headaches, and a skin condition due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his cervical spine disability and initial evaluation for headaches are being remanded to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus with headaches, impaired vision and boils (including as secondary to coronary artery disease) are being remanded. His claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for peripheral vascular disease is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected migraine headaches was granted, with the highest possible rating of 50 percent being assigned from July 19, 2007. Prior to this date, he received a 50 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a headache disorder and low back disorder have been granted as the evidence is in equipoise regarding their onset during service.,The Board finds that the Veteran's current headaches and low back disorders are related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran currently has a headache and seizure disorder, but there is no competent evidence showing a causal link between either disorder and any remote incident of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are so severe as to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment, particularly preventing him from performing the physical acts necessary to engage in employment suitable to his education level and specialized training.