Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service connection claims for fatigue, persistent headaches, muscle and joint pain, dizziness, cognitive dysfunction, mood and sleep disturbance, ataxia and/or chronic balance difficulties, respiratory symptoms (asthma), gastrointestinal symptoms other than irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular symptoms (hypertension), and skin rashes were all granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to address whether the service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound aggravated the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a misstated age in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's claims of increased disability rating for vascular headaches, service connection for a sleep disability including as secondary to service-connected vascular headaches, and service connection for an anxiety disorder were all denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete evidence and instructed the RO to obtain additional medical records from May 1981.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches and hypertension are granted. The Board finds credible the Veteran's report of having headaches since service, and resolves all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraines has been withdrawn, resulting in the dismissal of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of her claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current headaches are not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not manifested by arthritis or limitation of motion, and thus does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's application for Service-Disabled Veterans' Insurance was denied because his nonservice-connected conditions, including diabetes mellitus, major depressive disorder, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, exceed the 300 percent mortality threshold.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen his previously denied claim for a psychiatric disorder. The cervical spine strain claim was also denied as there is no medical opinion linking it to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings for his service-connected headaches was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues related to headaches and joint pain, as well as other claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his migraine headaches.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas, but not by total occupational and social impairment. The criteria for a 70 percent rating have been met.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a clarifying opinion regarding the nature and etiology of any hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches are not related to his active duty service, including a heat stroke incident in basic training. The examiner determined that the current headache complaints are less likely as not caused by or a result of heat problems in the line of duty.

The Veteran's claims for migraine headaches, gastric disorder, dizzy spells, and residuals of stroke are remanded due to inadequate examination and inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim for migraine headaches.