Migraines & headaches decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including broken teeth, migraine headaches, head injury, dislocated shoulder, hip arthritis, knee arthritis, nose and jaw injuries, diabetes mellitus, thyroid issues, lung problems, throat issues, breathing problems, allergies, gum bleeding, loss of smell/taste, sleep apnea, swallowing problems (dysphagia), blepharitis, ulcers, chronic fatigue syndrome, psychiatric disorders, fear of heights, memory problems, and insomnia are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's initial ratings for hypertension and headaches have been granted, with a 10 percent rating for hypertension effective April 7, 2005, and a 30 percent rating for headaches effective March 14, 2005. The appeal is resolved in the Veteran's favor on both issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of migraine headaches and maxillary sinusitis prior to January 17, 2007 are granted. The claim for service connection for abdominal and pelvic pain is reopened due to new and material evidence submitted.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and it is now up to the RO to consider this evidence in conjunction with the previously denied claim for service connection for chronic headaches and recurrent blackout episodes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for major depressive disorder and entitlement to an increased evaluation for scar, laceration of the tongue remain pending at the Board.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for cervical spine disability, discogenic disease of the thoracic spine, trapezius muscle disability, and headaches (migraine).

The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches were not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and its residuals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the current severity of her service-connected thoracic spine and headache disabilities.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his service-connected sinus headaches and right knee chondromalacia were granted, but the RO denied an initial compensable rating for his right knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of his claims, including sending a new Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC) to the correct address.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim of service connection for migraine headaches should be remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and to obtain the Veteran's service personnel records.

The Veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining whether his injuries were due to willful misconduct.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by watery eyes was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for headaches was denied due to lack of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected residuals of a hernia do not warrant an increased rating or earlier effective date. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's headaches associated with Bell's Palsy do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for consideration of a TDIU. There is no evidence supporting her contention that her service-connected disabilities preclude her from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for additional medical opinions and examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and secondary service connection were denied. The Board found that the right eye disability was not present in service or related to service-connected left eye disability. Headaches and sinus disability were found to be caused by service-connected disabilities.