Migraines & headaches decisions — 2010

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, right knee disability, and headaches. Service connection for hypertension was not established as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the appeal can proceed. The Veteran's representative requested an addendum to the VA examiner's report, as the current diagnosis and treatment for headaches have not accounted for the Veteran's lay statements of experiencing headaches since service.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches have been rated at 30 percent disabling since October 15, 2001.,The Veteran's service-connected IBS has been rated at 30 percent disabling since March 1, 2002.

The Veteran's complaints of fatigue and headaches have been attributed to diagnosed, nonservice-connected conditions such as migraine headaches and an adjustment disorder. The Board finds that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the appellant's service status on the date of his fall, which may affect his claims for cervical degenerative joint disease and muscle tension headaches.

The Veteran's headaches, which have been very frequent, completely prostrating, prolonged, and severely impacting his economic adaptability since the date of his underlying claim for service connection on October 25, 2006, are now rated at the highest possible schedular rating (50%) effective from that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal was timely perfected with respect to his claim for service connection for status-post C5-6 anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (previously considered as degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine).

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The RO found no evidence of exposure to Agent Orange or other herbicide agents during his military service, and thus could not grant service connection based on presumptive exposure. Additionally, the Veteran did not meet the criteria for secondary service connection due to underlying Type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for migraine headaches with dizziness and cervical spondylosis are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches are related to her in-service car accident and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's symptoms of muscle fatigue, shakes, twitching, right hip pain, neck pain, bowel problems, headaches, and skin disorders are attributed to diagnosed conditions (Multiple Sclerosis, cervical strain, degenerative joint disease, functional diarrhea, headache disorder, seborrhea, tinea versicolor) rather than an undiagnosed illness.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records from March and April 2009.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records, as well as scheduling a VA examination for his psychiatric and migraine headaches disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new examination to assess the current severity of her migraine headaches, as she alleges that her symptoms have worsened since her last VA examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a rash on the hands and feet, and residuals of a head injury (status-post repair of subdural hematoma with headaches) have been granted. The appeal is now pending before the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for ischemic heart disease and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran is presumed to have been exposed to Agent Orange/herbicides, which supports his claim for ischemic heart disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a rating of 30 percent for his PTSD. The Board also found that the Veteran did not have sleep apnea or hepatitis C due to service, but he does have tinnitus, headaches, anxiety disorder, depression disorder, lower back disorder, upper back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral hand disorders related to service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death while the appeal was pending before the Court.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches and psychiatric disability, specifically depression and anxiety, are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence shows that any present findings of these conditions did not occur during active duty.

The Veteran's spinal disability and migraine headaches are being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of these conditions.