Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, headaches, and sinus disorder were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence showing that he was diagnosed with hypertension within one year after discharge from active duty.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches has also been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence showing that he experienced symptoms of migraines during his active duty service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a head injury in service, which he claims as headaches. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and right hip disabilities, as well as any new right wrist disorder. The Veteran also testified that he has headaches related to his cervical spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered additional development to determine the etiology of the Veteran's complaints of loss of smell, breathing problems and headaches. The case is REMANDED for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining her SSA disability benefits records and providing an addendum to the service-connected disabilities VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims for hiatal hernia, allergies, headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, facial pain of the right cheek and teeth, and gastrointestinal disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings for posttraumatic headaches, hypertension, and low back strain have been dismissed as the Veteran has indicated satisfaction with the current ratings.,The Veteran's appeal of service connection for sleep apnea has been granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and a VA examination to assess his service-connected migraine headaches and etiology of any residuals of a stroke.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bruxism does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable disability rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his residuals of a nose injury (including headaches), the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected deviated nasal septum is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,External hemorrhoids are currently noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a compensable disability rating.,For his peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity, the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, the Veteran is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board found that the Veteran's hypertension was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected chronic headaches and denied the claim.

The Veteran's GERD, chronic allergic rhinitis, left foot condition, and migraine headaches are all service-connected. The GERD is rated at 10 percent; the chronic allergic rhinitis, left foot condition, and migraine headaches are not compensably service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 50 percent rating for service-connected migraine headaches is granted as of August 5, 2003.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, back disorder, right and left arm disorders, skin disorder, headache disorder, and sinus disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities related to these issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability and associated tension headaches were evaluated, but the cervical spine disability was not granted an increased rating. The Veteran received a separate 50% rating for his service-connected tension headaches.

The Veteran's asthma with chest pain and migraine headaches are related to her period of military service, while the remaining claims have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for further development of the record, including obtaining recent VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting congenital fusion of the C2-3 vertebrae with degenerative disc disease at C3 through C7 was aggravated during service, and his headaches are secondary to his cervical spine disability. The Veteran's dorsal (thoracic) spine disorder is also considered secondary to his cervical spine disability.